CHAPTER VI. 
WHAT IS A FERN ? 
E have made no attempt in the preceding 
of ferns. Botany is a beautiful science, and those 
who have time and opportunity will find almost 
endless instruction and amusement in studying it ; 
but, as we have shown, there are very many who 
do not possess the necessary time and opportunity. 
All that we have attempted to do, is to give 
such general descriptions of those of our native 
ferns which are to be seen in the west of England, 
as might conduce to the more extensive artificial 
cultivation of these beautiful plants. Of all the 
varieties which we have named, we have not in 
any one instance given such a minute description 
as might enable the young botanist accurately to 
distinguish one from another. 
chapters to offer any help in the study 
7 
