PREFACE.
BllADBURY AND EVANS,
BKINTEBS EXTRAORDINARY TO THE QUEEN,
■WHITEERIARS.
I n the Preface to the folio edition of this work, it was remarked
that “ everyone who has attempted to ascertain the name of a plant
by comparing it with mere descriptions, is aware of the difficulty
of effeoting the object, unless he is more familiar with the technical
language of science than those commonly are who, although
admirers of delicate texture, beautiful colour, or graceful form, do
not profess to be skilful Botanists. Even with the aid of drawings,
investigation often leads to no satisfactory result, in consequence of
the inability of art to represent faithfully the minute peculiarities
by which natural objects are often host distinguished. I f this is
so with plants in general, it is most especially true of Ferns, the
complicated forms and tender organisation of which baffle the
most skilful and patient artist, who can only give at the best an
imperfect sketch of what he supposes to be their more important
features. And herein lies the great defect of all pictorial representations.
The draughtsman can do no more than delineate a part
of what he sees ; and whether ho sees correctly what he delineates
wiU at aU times be a matter of doubt, especially where, as in
natural history, minute accuracy is indispensable. But if minute
accuracy is of more vital importance in one than another race of
plants, it is most especially so among Ferns, in the distinctions of
which the form of indentations, general outline, the exact manner