vi.] ABOUT A FERN. in 



of the cliff a wooded bluff descending almost to the 

 water's edge. As we stand on the crest of the steep 

 bank whence this delicious peep is to be had, we hear 

 just below us the gentle murmur and hiss of a stream 

 of water, which is hurrying down the bed of the 

 combe to the sea, but which is hidden from sight by 

 a thick screen of foliage. Down goes our path as we 

 turn from this delightful spot, and follow its course, 

 the ferny bank on our left meanwhile rising higher 

 and higher. Under the shelter of its overarching 

 trees are glorious forms of Lastrea filix-mas, four 

 feet three inches in length ; of Lady Ferns three 

 inches longer ; and of Blechnum spicant. Under the 

 shadow of this tree-covered bank gleams of sunshine 

 have found their way through the twisted branches, 

 and the curling leaves are silver-tipped where the 

 sunny gleams fall upon them. Now on our right 

 our path passes along the crest of the bank which 

 heads the combe, whose leafy depths lie below us. 

 A little farther on, the banks on our left are covered 

 with Ferns, ivy, and wild flowers, and topped by a 

 taller growth of trees, whilst the prospect is opened 

 out on our right between a gap in the trees of the 

 mouth of the bosky combe, widening as it nears the 

 sea, whose blue surface is calmly set out below. 

 From where we stand we can see the rippling waters. 

 The distance, however, is too great to hear the surge. 

 But the soft music of the murmuring stream which 

 hisses as it tumbles down the combe below us rises 

 deliciously to the ear." Fern World^ p. 154. 



But in all spots where ferns abound we may find 

 miniature fairylands; tiny spaces under the mossy 



