CHAPTER VI. 



MINIATURE FERN CAVERNS. 



OR the lover of Nature there are few 

 scenes which possess more attraction 

 than the sequestered woodland dells 

 where nought is heard but the musical tinkle of 

 dropping water. In such dells the passing current 

 of a babbling brook often holds soft and sweet 

 communion with the tiny stones which may lie in 

 its course, and with, the plant forms which are 

 gently swaying with the motion of the gurgling, 

 splashing water ; whilst even bird and insect life 

 is hushed as if in sympathy with the quietness 

 which almost seems to be made audible by the 

 small sounds of the streamlet. 



Within such woodland nooks as these there are 



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