DOWN A GREEN LANE ! 



crowd the hedge-banks ; but Ferns which are 

 tender in growth, and small in size. From the 

 hedge-banks spring splendid flowers of fox-glove, 

 mounted on their tall stems, and looking beautiful 

 indeed in the height of their June glory. 



The lane, wide at its entrance, narrows rapidly, 

 and at the distance of a stone' s-thrown bends 

 round to the left and is beyond that point hid 

 from view. But so green and delightful are the 

 trees, the flowers, the grass, and the Ferns, that 

 our choice of the turning is instantly made. We 

 feel certain that the lane will get more beautiful 

 as we follow what we are sure will be its winding 

 course, and we make for the bend where that 

 course is hid from view. Let us look at the 

 hedge-banks as we pass between them. Here are 

 no less than six species of Ferns the Male Fern, 

 the Hartstongue, -the Soft Prickly Shield Fern, 

 and the Broad Buckler Fern growing out of the 

 hedge-bank; whilst fronds of the Common Poly- 

 pody peep out from ivy-covered pollard trunks, 

 and are sheltered by the overhanging shrubs 

 which line the hedge-top. Small specimens of 

 Bracken are also here. It is perhaps because of 



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