Perhaps none of our native plants have suffered more from those vandals who root up every pretty thing they see than the Ferns. To the average tripper there seems to be something irresistible in the green fronds, and up comes the root, or enough of it to destroy the plant, and the prize is carried home. Even if the fern is so fortunate as to be planted at all, it is probably dealt with in such a way that its chances of living are very remote. County Councils may pass by-laws, but one is afraid that these will have little effect until there is amongst the people as a whole a more wide-spread regard for natural beauty. It is to be feared that one cannot entirely acquit the scientific student of helping in the destruction of Ferns. A rare find is a terrible temptation to the enthusiast, but if the plant is a solitary one it is a golden rule to leave it alone. Often enough a single frond will give us any quantity of ripe spores from which fresh plants may be raised. In any case the gathering of the leaf is a certain proof that one has found the particular species. If it is possible to re-visit the spot at a later date it is not unlikely that the specimen may have propagated itself in some way. Of course, where there are a number of specimens there can be no harm in taking one for cultivation. The same applies to common Ferns, or varieties of these; and if by propagation the stock is increased the number of beautiful plants in the country is made the larger. So that there is a form of collecting which is perfectly legitimate, and, indeed, to be commended.