CHAPTER IT. 
OF TRIBES. 
Ferns are divided into tribes principally by the microscopic 
characteristics of the position and form of the annulus, and the 
manner in which the capsules burst; we should, nevertheless, recom- 
mend any one wishing to find the name of a fern, to commence by 
trying to refer it to its proper tribe. This may often be done even 
without the aid of a microscope ; thus the tribe Hyinenoph ylleae 
may always be recognized by the translucent frond, only one of 
the tribe, amongst those found in New Zealand, failing in this 
characteristic, and that one having its sorus so evidently projec- 
ting beyond the margin of the frond as to leave no doubt to 
which of the tribes it should be referred. Then again the stalked 
spikes, (quite distinct from deformed fronds,) of the Ophioglossece • 
are plain enough, and the Cyathece may also readily be distinguished, 
the globose sorus being quite apparent to the naked eye and with 
the help of a magnifying glass or pocket lens, the elevated recep- 
tacle may be plainly seen. Of the other tribes, a beginner, 
without microscopic aid would be very apt to confound the 
members ; for instance he might not be able to decide whether 
a fern having naked sorus belongs to the first, the sixth 
or the fourth tribe. Still something is gained by the 
enquiry being narrowed to these three tribes ; the genera compre- 
hended in them must next be consulted, and here the more 
particular descriptions will most likely lead to a decision that it 
belongs to one of two or three genera, even if it cannot with 
certainty be referred to its own particular genus. Finally the 
species must be sought, and if due attention be paid to all the little 
peculiarities of the fern, one description only will be found to suit 
it exactly. Still it is not improbable that one beforehand totally 
unacquainted with botany may at first fail in naming a fern ; we can 
only recommend such to persevere, presently they Mill come to one 
with more clear characteristics than the rest, they decide without a 
doubt its name, others that before seemed to tally with that 
description fall back into their own places and, finding here one 
and there one, order gradually arises out of confusion. 
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