The Victorians had a great interest in and love of the natural world... especially plants! Exotic species from all over the world were brought in to populate large glass enclosed gardens, with some of these wonderful gardens still in existence today.

 Ferns were of special interest, with some gardens dedicated just to their propagation and study. This widespread interest in plants of all varieties was accommodated by all the commercial slide mounters (as well as many talented amateur naturalists), with a huge variety of botanical preparations being offered, both for scientific study, and the enjoyment of the interested public. 

Also of note, Coal had only recently been discovered to be composed of the fossilized remains of ferns and plants, with a corresponding interest in the preparation of specimens, and the study and classification of those long extinct species.

Tropical Rain Forest, South America

Cross-section of stem, various magnification in polarized light, with selenite filters

"Stars of Deutzia", silicaceous hairs on the undersurface of the leaves of Deutzia Scabria, and on a plant stem (below). These are thought to have probably evolved to discourage herbivores. Top imaged between crossed polar filters, bottom image using reflected lighting.