How to Know the Ferns

"How to Know the Ferns" by S. Leonard Bastin is an early 20th-century exploration of ferns, a detailed guide into their classification, how they live, and the many different types. The book teaches readers about these plants, pointing out what makes them unique and how they reproduce. It starts by placing ferns among more basic plants like algae and mosses, and goes on to talk about the development of vascular cryptogams, demonstrating the complicated differences in structure and reproduction compared to flowering plants. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the range of fern families through descriptions and life cycles, which paves the way for the later study of certain examples, appealing to both beginners and experienced plant experts.