JUNE. 211 



of the rocks, where many a fantastically boled beech 

 lifted its tortuous arms, and wound its briarean roots 

 among the rifted rocks. Still progressing onwards, 

 we paused before a bolder ledge that obstructed our 

 passage, over which twin currents lazily curdled down, 

 and from which a pair of brown Dippers (Cinclus aqua- 

 ticus,) had just emerged. Suddenly a dark cloud 

 curtained the ravine, and a peal of thunder solemnly 

 echoed among the hills. Drops, streams, torrents of 

 rain now poured upon our heads, and we sought shel- 

 ter in the first concavity we could find. But the 

 silver threads that had just been faintly murmuring 

 within the Glyn were now sullied in their course 

 they foamed and raged, lashed the rocks hoarsely in 

 their fury, and increasing in magnitude and violence 

 every moment, soon threatened our retreat, and the 

 pleasant prospect presented itself of being washed 

 away specimens and all in the arms of the furious 

 flood, and hurled mercilessly down " the Black Catar- 

 act," which we had left behind us. Fortunately the 

 rain abated, and saved us from this melancholy fate ; 

 but the adventure rises before me, in vivid hues, 

 whenever I gaze upon the specimen I gathered here. 



As almost every wild rocky lane and moist wood 

 abounds with the Aspidii, or Shield Perns, elegant as 

 some of them are, I shall leave that family for the 

 botanical explorator to develope for himself no very 

 hard task and only descant now upon the charms of 

 my favourite Mlix fcemina.* 



* Those who may wish to pursue the subject in detail, and obtain 

 localities for every species or variety, should consult Mr. EDWARD NEW- 

 MAN'S elegantly illustrated History of British Ferns, which is full of 

 interest, general as well as botanical. 



p2 



