FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 



gracefully over the stream in splendid clusters, 

 lapped it with their beautiful tips. 



Beyond the bridge the stream flowed for a 

 short distance under the dark shadows of the 

 wood winding, falling, splashing, and foaming as 

 it hurried along out of sight. The peep in this 

 direction was delightful. Trees above, moss- 

 covered, ivy-covered branches ; some gnarled, and 

 others fresh and vigorous trees on each side, all 

 densely clothed with their fresh and glorious May 

 dress. The clear brook reflected the shadows of 

 trees and shrubs, and became dimly seen as it 

 disappeared under the dark vista of the wood. 

 This vista, formed of the delightfully intermingled 

 branches of the trees overhead, presented the 

 most charming peep. The matted branches, green 

 limbs and twigs, would fairly have excluded the 

 light, were it not that at the darkest and densest 

 part of the canopy slight openings afforded a view 

 of the sky, and whilst they admitted the softened 

 sunrays, gave the piospect of a beautiful wood- 

 crowned hill, rising upwards beyond the delight- 

 ful canopy, which hung so gracefully over the 

 clear and glancing waters of the brook. 



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