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BRITISH FERNS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
This work is intended as a guide to the lover of 
Nature, who, though not perhaps scientifically ac¬ 
quainted with botany, may partake of the desire, so 
natural in all minds, to possess, in the best way cir¬ 
cumstances will allow, some shadow of the green 
country lanes and lovely scenes, so refreshing even in 
the remembrance. Ferns may be successfully culti¬ 
vated either in a conservatory, a Wardian case, or 
the open air. To accomplish this, and even to bring 
something of the verdure of a country lane into the 
close atmosphere of the city, by means of a closed or 
Wardian case, in which not only ferns but also some 
other plants will live and thrive, is perfectly easy. 
Mr. Ward, the ingenious inventor, succeeded in cul¬ 
tivating many flowers—such as fairy roses, and even 
the most luxuriant tropical plants, in them. But it 
Snust be remembered that the chief object in these 
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