CHAPTER II. 



A PARADISE OF FERNS. 



A WAY into the heart of a Devonshire lane ! 

 The time is midsummer, and the hot sun is 

 pouring down his rays with burning intensity. But 

 in yonder lane trees on each hedge that bounds the 

 narrow pathway shoot up against the sky, and fold- 

 ing over at the top, shut out with their glorious 

 masses of leaves the fiery heat. Beneath, the cool- 

 ness is delicious, and the verdant foliage which 

 bounds the view on every side, tempts the ena- 

 moured tourist to plunge into the depths of this 

 cool retreat. But the walk through it must be a 

 saunter, because its many and varied forms of 

 fern-life should be examined to be enjoyed. 



We will not generalise. We will paint no imagi- 

 nary picture, but we will just describe our own 



