66 THE FERN PARADISE. 



ing into silent pools, now roaring in mimic fury 

 over miniature falls, now calmly flowing by the 

 silent banks, which, overhung with the deep green 

 foliage of river-side shrubs, send forth their waving 

 fern-fronds to lap the surface of the stream, and 

 lend to it a graceful and beautiful aspect. 



At a short distance to the right of the bridge 

 the stream is lost from sight; but from its boulder- 

 strewn, roaring bed the eye is naturally lifted to 

 the glorious view which is to be seen overhead. 

 On both sides, almost from the water's brink, 

 rise two precipitous hills, the one on the right, 

 clothed with its dark green mantle, extending 

 from the surface of the stream to the extreme 

 hill-top, by the gradation of shrub and bush 

 and tree; that on the left sparsely covered 

 with furze and heather ; but both endowed 

 with a majesty of aspect, which lends a stu- 

 pendous grandeur to the whole scene. Away 

 to the left of the bridge a similar scene meets 

 the eye ; but here both hill-sides which bound 

 the stream are densely and darkly clothed with 

 trees, which, sweeping upwards, finely contrast 



