A PARADISE OF FERNS. 



between the luxuriant masses of vegetation which 

 stand out from the hedge-banks. During one 

 part of the way the lane runs at the foot of a 

 dark wood. Then continuing its course it seems 

 almost to sink into the earth, whilst high Fern- 

 covered banks rise on each side. For a part of 

 the distance a limpid stream trickles down the 

 declivity. The ground is literally carpeted with 

 grass and wild flowers ; and everywhere, hanging 

 out of the pollard trunks, densely clothing the 

 hedge-banks, and groAving along the edge of the 

 trickling stream, Ferns are to be found in count- 

 less numbers. In places where the path has been 

 cut deeply through the soft slate rock, the high 

 banks of the cutting rise upwards almost perpendi- 

 cularly, excluding the sunshine ; and there, in the 

 moist interstices between the soft fragments of 

 stone, are numerous species of the rock-loving 

 Ferns, luxuriating most in places where the water 

 is percolating through the surface of the embank- 

 ment. Growing in positions where its tiny crown 

 secures protection under some small jutting point 

 of rock, is the little Wall Rue (Asplenium ruta 

 muraria), a very diminutive Fern, with pretty 



