v i i i PREFACE.
of the Fern itself, there will often be found some remarks as to its
histoi-y, or its relation to other species, or perhaps some note as to its
use in the arts of life, or as to the method of its successful cultivation.
Little is said about the physiology of Ferns. It is a separate branch
of botanical study, and persons wishing to pursue it can find excellent
works suited to their purpose.^
The Ophioglossacete are included in this work, for, though they
are not Filices, as is now well known, they are closely related to them,
and are certainly Ferns, in the ordinary acceptation of the term.
The drawings have generally been made either from living plants
or from specimens which I have selected for the purpose. As many of
our Ferns are very much larger than the plates, it has been found
' necessary to draw some of them on a diminished scale. Ih e number
of plates being fixed at little more than half that of the species to be
I Consult Robinson’s “ F e r n s in t h e i r h om e s a n d o u r s , ” Thome’s “ T e x t b
o o k o f s t r u c t u r a l a n d p h y s i o l o g i c a l r o t a n y , ” translated by A . W. Bennett, and
especially the “ T e x t - b o o k o f b o t a n y m o r p h o lo g i c a l and p h y s i o l o g i c a l , ” by Julius
Sachs, translated and annotated by A . W. Bennett and W. T . T . Dyer. Still later, and
not yet translated, is “ M E D ic iN is c ii- i’uARMACEUTisciiE B o t a n i k , i b a n d . K r y p t o g a -
MEN.”— D r. Cbr. I.ucrsscn, Leipzig, 1S79. This work contains a great deal o f the Anatomy
and Physiology not only of Perns, but o f all the orders o f Cryptogamia, and is illustrated
with I Si wood-cuts containing very many figures o f a high order of excellence.
PR E FA C E . ix
figured, it has often been necessary to represent several different Ferns
on a single plate, and sometimes to crowd the drawings more closely
than I could wish.
It remains for me to' return thanks to Mr. Cassino, for the care
he has taken in the whole work, and especially for his constant supervision
of the printing and lithography; to the artists, Mr. Emerton and
Mr. Faxon, for their skilful delineations, and for the patience with
which they have listened to my suggestions; and to Messrs. Armstrong
and Company for the carefulness with which they have transferred
the original drawings to stone.
I am grateful to very many kind correspondents who have
favored me with specimens of Ferns, or with valuable memoranda,
from all parts of the United States and the Dominion of Canada. I
have scarcely ever had occasion to ask for a specimen or for an item
of information without the favor sought'being granted most courteously
and kindly. The names of these correspondents will be found recorded
in connection with the species they have furnished.
More than general thanks are due to a few persons who have taken
pains to send me unusually large and fine collections; and here I
would speak of the disinterested kindness of Hon. T. M. P e t e r s , Dr.
A . P. G a r b e r , Mrs. F l i .wood C o o p er , Mrs. R. M. A u s t in , Mrs. M a r y
E. P u i.s i f e r A m e s , and many others.