io8 THE FERN PARADISE. 



occupation in the country which is more enjoyable 

 than hunting after ferns. We have singled out 

 Devonshire, and given to that beautiful county the 

 name of the " Fern Paradise," and well it deserves 

 the name. Who that has experienced the pleasure 

 can deny that to wander after ferns through its 

 beautiful woods to search the rocks, the ravines, 

 and the streamlets which abound in its magnificent 

 moorlands to cross, minutely searching from 

 moss-covered boulder to moss-covered boulder, 

 the beds of its brawling rivers, listening to the soft 

 thunder of their numerous waterfalls, or to the 

 loud roar of rushing torrents where the mountain 

 stream sweeps down into the valley who can 

 deny, we repeat, that the pleasure of a wild ramble 

 like this is exquisitely sweet ? 



But although, as we have said, the enjoyment to 

 be gathered from a ramble either through the 

 green lanes of Devonshire, or the ferny lanes of 

 other counties, is beyond the reach of thousands, 

 yet there are few places where even the poorest 

 cannot obtain ferns. Flowers that are cultivated 

 and our garden flowers require cultivation for their 



