THE CLASSIFICATION OF FERNS

SummaryIntensive morphological studies have been devoted to the more primitive ferns, which represent a small minority of living species, but too little is yet known about the vast majority of other ferns, with the result that recent attempts at a natural classification show considerable differences of treatment.The problem is complicated by convergent evolution in the characters of almost all parts of a fern plant. Not only similar soral form, but also similar frond form, types of venation, scales, etc. have been developed on different evolutionary lines.To illustrate the nature of the problem an attempt has been made to state the probable characters of a primitive leptosporangiate fern, and the kinds of ways in which existing ferns have developed from this condition. Evolutionary change in different parts of the plant has proceeded in different ways and to different degrees in the many genera of existing ferns. Primitive characters of one kind or another are shown by a great number of ferns, along with highly advanced characters of other kinds.Recent schemes of classification are briefly compared, and a summary is given of the author's own scheme, with notes on evolutionary trends in the various groups as he sees them.Much more information is needed on which to establish a really satisfactory scheme. The present one is put forward in the hope that others will take up the work. With modern facilities for travel, it is to be hoped that more botanists will come to the tropics and see ferns and other too‐little‐known plants in their native habitats. Morphological study needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the living plant and of its environment.