THE FERN PARADISE. 



them a most lovely aspect. Beneath, revelling in 

 the cool shelter afforded by the Ferns which have 

 been named, is a Lady Fern, throwing up its 

 tender fronds with the drooping habit which is 

 the charming characteristic of this species. 



Still, for a long distance, the lane follows its 

 winding course between high moss, iv 7 y and Fern- 

 covered banks, with trees far above, arching 

 over and excluding the sunlight. Our path now 

 becomes more like the rocky bed of some river, 

 which a long drought has temporarily dried 

 up. On our right we presently pass, in the 

 twilight created by the shrubs around and above 

 us, a hedge-bank which is clothed with the most 

 beautiful moss, growing amongst which are thou- 

 sands of baby Ferns, just springing into existence, 

 and beginning to assume the ferny forms. The 

 deep shade flung by hedge-bank and over-arching 

 trees, and the perpetual moisture which is engen- 

 dered between them, render this spot a congenial 

 hiding-place for the Fern-spores which germinate 

 on the damp soil of the mossy hedge-bank. 



And now the swift descent of the hill-side path 

 is gently broken. From the deep, soft shade of 



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