FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 53 



The Dart is seen in this direction only for a short 

 distance before it winds away on its course. From 

 the point where it is lost to view the eye delightedly 

 roams over the hills which bound the horizon. On 

 the ivy-covered sides of Staverton Bridge may be 

 found many fine specimens of the beautiful Scaly 

 Spleenwort, the larger ones placed, however, where 

 they are somewhat difficult to obtain, without 

 some amount of skilful management. The pretty 

 little Wall-rue is also to be had here, and the 

 bridge parapet and sides are also ornamented by 

 the fronds of the common Polypody. 



And now to return to Totnes through Dartington 

 Wood, we must retrace our steps for about 200 

 yards, until we reach the edge of the wood. Here 

 a gate admits us on to a steep ascent, at the top 

 of which we enter a bridle path which leads away 

 round to the right, under the dark shadow of the 

 trees. Presently we are fairly buried in the wood, 

 the trees in which rise high on each side of our 

 path and arch over us. From the left comes the 

 roar of the unseen Dart, as it rushes by somewhere 

 on the verge of the wood. Under the copse on the 



