BRITISH PERNS. 
CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTION. 
It is a sign of the good taste of the present generation 
that fine-foliaged plants have become such general fa- 
vourites. Gaudy colouring and plentiful blossoms are 
no longer the sole passports to the garden and the con- 
servatory; elegance of form and grace of contour are 
fully as much esteemed as the utmost variety and rich- 
ness of tints, and consequently the Fern family is high 
in favour everywhere. Builders are now continually 
applied to to erect fern-houses : one man alone built 
seventy such houses during one year in the neighbour- 
hood of London. The nurserymen are diligent in cul- 
tivating ferns, and offer whole ranges of them to their 
customers, — -beautiful varieties, suited some for the fer- 
nery, some for the cool greenhouse, some for the hot- 
house. Wardian cases bring these popular plants within 
the reach of every one who has even a small room to 
