234 
THE EEKN PAEADISE. 
Too- much, however, will not, with this object, 
be attempted. The book is not intended to com¬ 
pete with strictly botanical treatises. It makes 
no pretension to be a hand-book. It is in sub¬ 
stance what its sub-title indicates, £ a plea for the 
culture of Ferns, 5 and as such it goes forth to the 
world. But it aims at being widely useful. ]\lany 
Ferns which grow in lovely Devonshire are never 
seen in other counties; but the county is poor 
indeed which cannot furnish a few specimens of 
what are called the common varieties of our 
native Ferns. 
In the following pages of description the 
simplest definitions will be given; and in addi¬ 
tion to these, under the name of each Fern 
information will be furnished as to the particular 
situations in which it grows, the method of culti¬ 
vation, the soil, and other matters which will be 
of interest for the Fern-lover. 
