THE FEEX PARADISE. 



by the impatient stream, to be released the next 

 and to fling a shower of silver drops around 

 them. 



Who could resist the temptation to carry away 

 a tiny bit of this river and woodland scenery, by 

 impounding yon jutting clump of Fern-roots, 

 Osmunda, Hard Fern, and Mountain Buckler 

 Fern ? There is here enough and to spare, and 

 Nature, in her rich profusion, can well afford us 

 the pleasure which we derive from the possession 

 and transplantation of some of our favourites. 

 Nature asks no questions, demands no penalties 

 for our spoliation, but freely gives us up these 

 wild and beautiful plants. 



We have them still. Taken from the dewy 

 moorlands, they nevertheless spread out still their 

 characteristic loveliness in our Fern garden, al- 

 though imprisoned within city walls ; and we 

 never look at them without experiencing a keen 

 sense of pleasure, as we recall all the circum- 

 stances of our wild ramble in search of them. 



258 



