British Ferns . 
73 
CHAPTER XI. 
BRITISH FERNS. 
HE number of known ferns is about 3000. 
How many are unknown we cannot even 
rudely guess. The British species number 46 ; 
many of these present us with varieties in great abun- 
dance, that is to say, with forms differing from their 
types (or what we regard as types), and these varieties 
number full 500, and no living person possesses the 
whole of them. It is not the business of this book to 
treat of ferns botanically, nor to speak of the British ferns 
exclusively, yet it would hardly be complete — restricted 
as its object is — unless it contained at least one 
chapter on the Filices of Britain, more especially as 
many persons only cultivate the British ferns, and find 
enough to amuse them in the fern way in making 
collections of native species' and varieties. Let no one 
suppose a complete collection to be desired, for it is not, 
except for strictly scientific purposes. It matters little 
for our purpose whether it be desirable or not, for the 
fact is, a complete collection has never been formed and 
never can be. My excellent friend Mr. Sim, of Foots 
Cray, Kent, enumerates in his last catalogue 365 
British species and varieties in all— enough for us to 
