
INTRODUCTION. : ` 8 
associated with all that is graceful and fascinating among vegetable 
forms, and have gained for them a very high position in popular 
favour. They are indeed considered the very prototypes of grace- 
fulness. Those who have seen even some of our commonest 
native species growing in full luxuriance in favoured situations, 
will have no difficulty in admitting that even they have no mean 
claim to so exalted a position; and there are numerous exotic _ 
species, which no doubt far exceed them in beauty. Gay colours, 
itis true, are for the most part wanting. In some species, indeed, 
the surface is frosted with silver or glittering with gold-dust, and 
the rich warm yellowish and brownish tints of the fructification 
produce a pleasant contrast to the predominant green, among which, 
moreover, many varieties of tint are to be found; but on the whole 
the colouring of Ferns is sober, and their fascinations must be 
admitted to depend rather on the extreme elegance of their forms, 
than on their vivid or attractive hues. 
The British Ferns are not very numerous in species, but there 
is a very large number of varieties, and these add greatly to the in- 
terest that attaches to the plants. Not only on this account, but by 
reason of their accessibility, they attract many admirers, and absorb 
much of the attention of many students, as the interest attaching to 
the discovery of new forms sufficiently attests. They are, moreover, 
for the most part very easily cultivated, and beyond all other plants, 
are perhaps the best adapted to parlour or window culture. To the 
satisfaction that may be found in the collection and preservation of 
Ferns in the herbarium, and to the study of them in the dried state, 
may therefore be added the pleasure derivable from watching their 
progress in a state of cultivation, and from improving the oppor- 
tunities thereby afforded of studying their structure, their habits, 
and their peculiarities, as they become day by day developed in 
the living state. 
Those who desire to form a thorough acquaintance with the 
B 

