TIIE 1'ERN PARADISE. 



the sunny aspect of the hedge-side that the Fern 

 specimens are small. Following the bend of the 

 lane, we find that the grass-covered pathway 

 narrows, whilst the hedges close in. Trees now, 

 ivy as well as moss-covered, are on each side of 

 us, and interlace their green tops. Then, between 

 moss-covered, Fern-fringed hedge-banks, we pass 

 an open fir copse on the right. Anon the lane, 

 still winding round to the left, narrows more 

 rapidly still ; narrows indeed so much, that the 

 bushes which crown its hedges almost meet over- 

 head, and thus arresting the moisture and in- 

 creasing the shade, cause the Ferns on each side 

 to become developed into grander forms, until 

 two or three splendid specimens of the Broad 

 Buckler Fern and the Male Fern in the hedge- 

 bank on the right compel us to pause and admire 

 their exquisitely graceful aspect. A few steps 

 farther on, still bending round to the left, we 

 again stop to admire the splendid growth of a 

 Brake, which, growing out of the humid hedge- 

 bank, has reached a height of eight feet. Now the 

 lane for a short distance observes a straighter and 

 narrower course, between hedge-banks contain- 



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