THE FERX PARADISE. 
tom ourselves to jog on in a round of monotonous 
existence, when perhaps a slight, a very slight, 
attention to the details of enjoyment would furnish 
us with constant sources of pleasure, it will be 
allowed that a most important object will be 
secured if it be found possible successfully to 
urge that such attention should be given to the 
subject of which this volume treats. 
The Author feels that in this address to the 
reader he has already trenched upon matters which 
have been dealt with in another part of the volume ; 
but he is anxious in this place to put forth a good 
plea for the object which he desires to effect ; for 
unless he can do so, he is conscious that he can 
have no claim, as he has already said, upon the 
reader’s indulgence. 
In conclusion, the Author would express the 
earnest hope that his book may be the humble 
means of increasing the popular taste for the 
varied and exquisite forms of Fern life: a 
taste which is certain to have a softening and 
elevating influence on the popular mind. May 
these graceful and feathery forms crowd in vast 
numbers into our dwelling-houses, our gardens, 
34 
