THE FEIiN PAiJADISE. 



tion. A rude rustic bridge crosses the stream and 

 gives access to a narrow, steep and winding path 

 which leads up into the dusky recesses of the 

 wood. When we travelled the route we are de- 

 scribing, it was May. On the right of the rustic 

 bridge, and almost overshadowing it, a large haw- 

 thorn bush was white with blossom, and scented 

 the air all around with its delicious fragrance. 

 Below us, the stream was rapidly eddying, waving 

 the weeds and other wild growths that sprung 

 from its bed. Just in front, a sudden fall in the 

 level of the stream caused the gurgle and foamy 

 splash of a tiny waterfall. A sloping bank led 

 down on the right from the road to the water's 

 surface, covered in such splendid luxuriance as 

 is everywhere to be seen in Devonshire with tall, 

 rich, delightful green grass intermingled with 

 dark green fronds of the Hartstongue, and hand- 

 some shuttlecock-shaped fronds of noble speci- 

 mens of the Male Fern. The left banks of the 

 brook hung far over the water, the bushes, ivy, 

 and moss-covered branches of trees which crowned 

 them affording cool, dark, and moist nooks for 

 the Ferns, whose exquisite fronds, dropping 



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