50 THE FERN PARADISE. 



rock was hid by bushes that closed over it Pressing 

 these on one side, we found as we had expected 

 an unusually fine plant of our Spleenwort, its roots 

 being firmly imbedded in the layers of slate rock, 

 which were kept cool and moist by the shelter of 

 the bushes. Where this fern is to be found, you 

 will always find the largest and most luxuriant 

 specimens in the darkest and dampest corners. 

 No fern shuns the light more than the graceful 

 and beautiful Aspleniwn adiantum nigrum. It is a 

 great favourite of ours, and cannot, we think, fail 

 to be admired by all fern lovers. It is hardy 

 too, and will well repay in cultivation a very 

 small amount of care and attention. 



It is astonishing how many delightful green 

 lanes abut on to the high roads in Devonshire: 

 lanes so temptingly beautiful that you feel you 

 cannot pass without exploring them, for, at least, 

 some little distance. We espied such a lane when, 

 on the road we are describing, we reached the top 

 of the hill, on the other side of which lay Staverton 

 Bridge. This lane turns out of the road on the 

 right, and we explored it for a short distance. 



