INTRODUCTION
r r ^ H E author of this little effay fcarcely knoivs what apo-
^ 1. ^ logy to make for prcfuming to appear before the pub-
lick in a fcience which has afforded employment for the pens
of fo many learned men,, apid able naturaliils.
What he has here attempted is to bring together and illuf-
trate the Britiih proper Ferns; no attempt of the kind having
ever before appeared in our own, or any other language.
The greateft part of them have indeed been iigured and de-
fcribed, but many of thofe figures arc too inaccurate to give
a clear and diftina idea of the plant, and being fcattered
through the volumes of many authors, will fubjea to a very
great expence, thofe who are defirous to inform themfelves
of a tribe of plants fo fingular and beautiful as the Britiih
proper Ferns muft be allowed to be.
It is the intention of the author in this undertaking to give
a clear and diftina idea of every fpecies in its various ftages of
growth, and under the various accidents it is liable to, as
far as is neceilary for enabling the ftudent to difcriminatc
each with eafe and certainty ; to exhibit them at one view,
and at a fmall expence. And if it appears that he has ac-
quicted himfelf well in thefe particulars, he wiflres not for a
more eligible plea.
a 2, Many