( ii ) 
the practice of some writers, who have clone their best 
to hasten the extermination of many of the rarer 
kinds of ferns. Varieties of some species are occa¬ 
sionally met with, but only a few of the most impor¬ 
tant are described. On the other hand some ferns 
here given as distinct species, are considered as only 
varieties by other authors. The genus of any of them 
can be easily ascertained from the fructification. 
The photographs are all from specimens collected 
by the author, and the woodcuts are enlarged and 
drawn from nature. The former will bear examination 
with a low-power magnifying glass, which instrument 
it may be added, is almost indispensable to the fern 
collector. 
A slight sketch of the structure and reproductive 
organization of Ferns is also given. 
A Glossary and a Table of Synonyms will be found 
at the end of the volume. 
