PREFACE. 
IX 
information on this part of the subject, are referred to the 
A.uthor"s Handbook of British Ferns,"' and to the text 
and figures in the “ Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland, 
Nature-printed/" The search for varieties of the British 
Ferns has become so unexpectedly successful, that the 
modifications of form which it is found are assumed by 
some of the species, furnish important evidence against 
species-making — the bane of modern Botany. Those \ 
readers who may be fortunate enough to find curious and 
distinct varieties, would oblige the Author by communi- 
cating specimens of them, in illustration of this branch 
of the subject. 
The Author may take this occasion to mention that he 
will be glad to receive the continued assistance of his 
readers in ascertaining the actual distribution, throughout 
Great Britain and Ireland^ of the various forms assumed 
by certain of the disputed and difficult species, whose 
range is not as yet well known, e,g, those of Aihyrium 
Filix-foemina^ Lastrea spinulosa and dilatata, and Poly- 
stichum aculeatum and angulare, &c. He has only further 
