Identification and Preservation. 
15 
IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION. 
THE student desirous of making himself acquainted with the 
classification of ferns must begin by thoroughly mastering the 
chapter on the parts of ferns, and the terms used in describing 
them. Having done so, the next thing is to definitely under- 
stand the differences between the seven sub-orders ; and in con- 
nection with this, it is much to be regretted that no other good 
character than the opening of the capsule is obtainable. To follow 
out this character is difficult enough to bring many young students 
to a stand-still, but with us, fortunately, there are only a few 
species each in sub-orders I., II., IV., V., VI., VII., leaving the 
vast majority in Sub-order III. Besides this, these few species 
from Sub-orders I., II., IV., V., VI., VII. are, with the exception 
of Mohria , so distinct in their general appearance that with them 
the figures are sufficient for identification, and, when once known, 
he who wishes to study up the capsules can easily do so. 
In Sub-order III. the species are numerous, and often closely 
related to one another, but the characters of the genera are easily 
followed. 
When examining a plant, always make sure of the genus first, 
then compare it with the distinctive characters of each species in 
that genus, the point most to be noticed being given in the synopsis 
at the beginning of each genus. 
To go by the illustrations without consulting the text is very 
superficial work, and to attempt to follow descriptions, without 
first having mastered the alphabet, as the technical terms have 
been called, can only end in disgust. 
A little practice only is required to enable anyone to follow 
out the distinctions and connections between the different groups, 
and then the ferns will be found to form one of the most beauti- 
ful, interesting, and easily understood orders of our South African 
Flora. 
