THE KOYAL FEKN. 



into their midsb, we soon find ourselves on the 

 river's brink. Then we emerge again into the 

 full daylight. The sun sparkles on the rippling 

 stream, giving the light as from ten thousand 

 diamonds ; and here, at last, bending over the 

 banks their tall fronds spreading outwards and 

 moving res pensively to the breeze, which is 

 briskly blowing are Osmundas in rich profu- 

 sion ! Hard by is a fine tuft of the Mountain 

 Buckler Fern, and intermingled with it are equally 

 fine tufts of the Hard Fern. Both are on the ex- 

 treme brink of the stream, and their roots and 

 those of the Osmundas are within reach of the 

 abundant moisture, which is the secret of their 

 grand proportions. Split fragments of rock are 

 scattered about on the river side and in mid 

 stream, giving a wild picturesqueness to the whole 

 scene, which is beyond description lovely. The 

 gurgling, splashing, foaming water, sparkling 

 with its ten thousand diamond flashes; the wood- 

 bounded, winding banks, with waving Fern- 

 fronds, now carried aloft and arching outwards 

 with graceful symmetry, now softly drooping, 

 whilst their pendant tips are caught one moment 



257 



