THE OAK. 29 



inches in thickness, though the branch that sup- 

 ports it is not of greater diameter than a child's 

 wrist. The weight is so considerable as to bend 

 the branches downwards, just as we may see the 

 branches of lilacs and other supple trees weighed 

 down at Christmas by the gentle deposit on them 

 of abundant snow; and all over the surface of this 

 beautiful coating of vegetable velvet may be dis- 

 covered, in their season, the little seed-capsules, 

 by the produce of which the plant is multiplied. 

 The name given to this singular spot, which seems 

 as if it had been touched by the wand of some 

 botanical enchanter, is Wistman's Wood. It is 

 easy of access, and should be visited by every one 

 who may happen to pass through that part of 

 Devonshire. 



Every old wood and forest shows us oaks bearing 

 ferns. The latter are of the kind called polypody, 

 or the " many-footed," on account of the numerous 

 lateral leaflets giving the idea of feet, as in a centi- 

 pede. On those rude and rugged bosses which the 

 oak is so apt to form, some ten or twelve feet above 

 our heads, there may often be seen a tuft of this 

 elegant plant, perched completely out of reach, and 

 decked with those gay spangles of bright gold 

 which render the fern in question so easy of recog- 

 nition, and attract the eye of the most incurious. 

 All lovers of nature have been invited in the first 

 instance to the specialities, by some particular plant 



