BERRIES AND BERRIES. 87 



IX. 



BERRIES AND BERRIES. 



THIS little chine, opening toward the sea 

 through the blue lias cliffs, has been worn to 

 its present pretty gorge-like depth by the 

 slow action of its tiny stream a mere thread 

 of water in fine weather, that trickles down 

 its centre in a series of mossy cascades to 

 the shingly beach below. Its sides are over- 

 grown by brambles and other prickly brush- 

 wood, which form in places a matted and im- 

 penetrable mass : for it is the habit of all 

 plants protected by the defensive armour of 

 spines or thorns to cluster together in serried 

 ranks, through which cattle or other intrusive 

 animals cannot break. Amongst them, near the 

 down above, I have just lighted upon a rare 



