HEATHLANDS 



ANDOWN has become one of the most 

 familiar places near the metropolis, but the 

 fir woods at the back of it are perhaps 

 scarcely known to exist by many who 

 visit the fashionable knoll. Though near at hand, 

 they are shut off by the village of Esher ; but a 

 mile or two westwards, down the Portsmouth 

 highway, there is a cartroad on the left hand which 

 enters at once into the woods. 



The fine white sand of the soil is only covered 

 by a thin coating of earth formed from the falling 

 leaves and decayed branches, so thin that it may 

 sometimes be rubbed away by the foot or even the 

 fingers. Grass and moss grow sparingly in the 

 track, but wherever wheels or footsteps have passed 

 at all frequently the sand is exposed in white streaks 

 under the shadowy firs. In grass small objects 

 often escape observation, but on such a bare surface 

 everything becomes visible. Coming to one of 

 these places on a summer day, I saw a stream of 

 insects crossing and recrossing, from the fern upon 

 one side to the fern upon the other. 

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