POPULAR 
HISTOEY OF BEITISH FEENS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
There are several causes which conduce to render the 
native Ferns of Great Britain attractive objects of study. 
Of these we will mention the following : — 
1. They are for the most part objects of exquisite ele- 
gance ; and this is apparent, whether they are superficially 
examined as to their external appearance, or whether they 
are investigated anatomically, with the view to discover 
and analyze their minute structure. 
2. They are not very numerous, nor very inaccessible, 
and consequently their study opens a field which even those 
who have not much leisure may hope to compass, and for 
which the greater part, at least, of the materials may be 
obtained without much difficulty 
B 
