DOWN A GREEN LANE! 93 



beautiful moss, growing amongst which are thou- 

 sands of baby ferns, just springing into existence, 

 and beginning to assume the ferny forms. The 

 deep shade flung by hedge -bank and over-arching 

 trees, and the perpetual moisture which is engen- 

 dered between them, render this spot a congenial 

 hiding-place for the fern-spores which germinate 

 on the damp soil of the mossy hedge-bank. 



And now the swift descent of the hill-side path 

 is gently broken. From the deep soft shade of 

 the lane you emerge into the sunlight. The hill- 

 side begins to melt into the valley. Sunlit 

 meadows, gently-sloping wood-covered uplands, 

 orchards, and fruit-gardens are combined in ex- 

 quisite variety in the scene before you. Now, 

 between the leafy interstices in tree and shrub, 

 you sight some white-walled cottages. Then, as 

 you pursue your meadow path, you are again lost 

 under a leafy canopy, as hedge-banks once more 

 close in upon you. Anon an intermingling of 

 hedges, meadows, and houses ; and then your 

 charming green lane abuts upon a winding road 

 which leads away to the town. 



