THE STRUCTUEE OE FERNS. 
11 
larity. These patches are vast accumulations of the minute 
seeds — so minute as to be fabulously invisible — from which 
young fern- plants would be produced. 
Now, as the leaves of those plants which do bear flowers 
do not bear these dust-like patches, it is on their presence 
that the novice must depend for the assurance that the 
plant he has under examination is really a Fern. It must 
be confessed, indeed, that this is a very imperfect definition, 
and one which would fail to satisfy the more advanced 
student ; but in truth, there is no other available guide- 
mark at the starting-point, nor until the eye has become 
familiarized with the peculiar appearances by aid of 
which Ferns may be recognized at first sight. This first 
step — the ready recognition of a Fern from other plants — 
will be greatly assisted by the characteristic figures which 
accompany and ornament these pages. More detailed par- 
ticulars of the peculiarities of Ferns we must now proceed 
to offer. 
Ferns, as we have already stated, are flowerless plants. 
They are furnished with roots, by which they obtain 
nourishment from the soil; with stems, by which their 
conspicuous parts are borne up and supported ; and with 
leaves, to which their elegance is due, these leaves bearing 
