1863.] SKETCHES IN DENBIGHSHIRE. 583 



party scattered, some to ramble about the " Barber," and others 

 to climb the steep black rocks which overhang the Berwyn side 

 of the wide ravine. Feet adorned with " the best French kid " 

 would find themselves in difficulties on that steep hillside, for 

 the sharp loose stones are very insecure ground, often giving way 

 at the slightest touch, and carrying the climber as many steps 

 backward as forward. But we were not sorry to pause now and 

 then, for said loose stones are in many places covered with patches 

 of the Poly podium Dryopteris, which just now have a peculiarly 

 pretty effect, the exquisite green of their delicate fronds showing 

 in bright contrast to the golden stipes of (we think) the Lastrea 

 paleacea, clusters of which dot the hillside in all directions. 

 Stopping at an oasis among the stones, we managed to unbuild 

 the roots of the Dryopteris, and so obtained a few specimens for 

 home cultivation. Climbing the Berwyn rocks is rather hard 

 work, but not so bad now as it will be a month or two hence, 

 when the briery paths become invisible beneath the strong and 

 spreading fronds of the Bracken. As it was, we fought our way 

 through all difficulties, minutely examining every chink and cre- 

 vice that could possibly contain a Fern. We had been told that 

 we should find the Allosorus crispus, but though a very probable 

 locality for that little Fern to choose, we could see nothing like 

 it; so we contented ourselves by filling our cases with the As. 

 Trichomanes, Cystopteris fragilis, and Polypodiuin Phegopteris, 

 all of which we found in great plenty. The Polystichum aculea- 

 tum, too, almost covers a wide ledge just below the highest rocky 

 ridge, showing, by the great length and breadth of its feathery 

 fronds, that it is very content in its elevated quarters. Dark- 

 green patches of the Polypodium vulyare, of a stunted though 

 fertile growth, here and there met our view ; and nearing the 

 moorland above, we noticed the Blechnum boreale growing very 

 luxuriantly among the gorse and heather in the peaty soil it loves 

 so well. While carefully scrambling upwards, a rather amusing 

 incident occurred. One of our party, who was closely investi- 

 gating the contents of a rocky corner, was astonished, and some- 

 what alarmed, by the sudden appearance of a great white owl, 

 whose afternoon siesta she had unconsciously disturbed, and who, 

 after angrily fluttering over our heads, betook himself, in high 

 dudgeon, to the neighbouring woods. We discovered his sleep- 

 ing-place — a snug nook, shaded at the opening by gorse, but as 



