v1.] ABOUT A FERN. rIY 
of the cliff a wooded bluff descending almost to the 
water’s edge. As we stand on the crest of the steep 
bank whence this delicious peep is to be had, we hear 
just below us the gentle murmur and hiss of a stream 
of water, which is hurrying down the bed of the 
combe to the sea, but which is hidden from sight by 
a thick screen of foliage. Down goes our path as we 
turn from this delightful spot, and follow its course, 
the ferny bank on our left meanwhile rising higher 
and higher. Under the shelter of its overarching 
trees are glorious forms of Lastrea filix-mas, four . 
feet three inches in length; of Lady Ferns three 
inches longer; and of Blechnum spicant. Under the 
shadow of this tree-covered bank gleams of sunshine 
have found their way through the twisted branches, 
and the curling leaves are silver-tipped where the 
sunny gleams fall upon them. Now on our right 
our path passes along the crest of the bank which 
heads the combe, whose leafy depths lie below us, 
A little farther on, the banks on our left are covered 
with Ferns, ivy, and wild flowers, and topped by a 
taller growth of trees, whilst the prospect is opened 
out on our right between a gap in the trees of the 
mouth of the bosky combe, widening as it nears the 
sea, whose blue surface is calmly set out below. 
From where we stand we can see the rippling waters. 
The distance, however, is too great to hear the surge. 
But the soft music of the murmuring stream which 
hisses as it tumbles down the combe below us rises 
deliciously to the ear.”—Fern World, p. 154. 
But in all spots where ferns abound we may find 
miniature fairylands; tiny spaces under the mossy 
