BRITISH FERNS. 
The native Ferns of Great Britain have undoubtedly become 
attractive objects of inquiry and of study, amongst those 
who taka interest in natural objects. Among the many 
causes which may have conduced to bring about this result, 
gpcobably the most active is this, that these plants are for the 
most part objects of exquisite elegance. This feet is, indeed, 
apparent, whether they are superficially examined .as to 
their external appearance, or whether they are investigated 
with the view to analyse their minute structure. Then, 
> again, they have become fashionable ; and they are, more- 
I over, neither very numerous, nor very inaccessible, and con¬ 
sequently 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. To these inducements, it may be 
added, that they are plants for the most part very easily 
cultivated, and of all others perhaps the best adapted to 
parlour or window culture. Hence it follows that, besides 
the interest that may arise in the collection and preservation 
of the British Ferns in the herbarium, and in the study of 
them in the dried state, there is to be added the pleasure to 
be derived from their cultivation, and the opportmiities 
thereby afforded of studying and admiring them m the 
f possible, adopt the latter method 
t reveals" many curious and interesting features 
■ 1 1 1 - J from the most patient investi- 
i W the aid of the dried plants 
s of study¬ 
ing the plants in the living state, it is t. 
