‘Our Native Ferns – or A History Of The British Species And Their Varieties’ ~ in 2 volumes, by E.J. Lowe Esq (Edward Joseph) FRAS, FGS, FLS, FZS, MBMS; pub by Groombridge And Sons. London 1865/67. First Edition of these quite rare books. Small 4to – 6 ½” x 10”, bound in ½ dark green morocco & dark green cloth, 5 raised bands & gilt design & title on spine of each vol; marbled edges & end papers and silk headband at top & bottom. Vol 1, pub 1865, 360pps + 37 coloured plates and 317 wood engravings; front inside hinge slightly weak with a small split at top. There are 2 clippings from Gardener’s Magazine 1869 pasted onto a small sheet of white paper and pasted on inside front page. Vol 2, pub 1967, 506pps +42 coloured plates and 592 wood engravings; inside hinges have been strengthened. Corners of each vol slightly bruised; some foxing on front and back pps and some intermediate pps of each vol; some very slight rubbing to covers & top edges are slightly weak on both books. Both books are tight in their binding A few ‘real’ ferns included in the 2 vols; also includes a small 4pp prospectus for the books dated September 1866. Books weigh 2.6k