THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 95 



the face of rocks, or cling gently to the trunks of trees. Sphagnums, 

 hypnums and jungermannias form mossy beds, whicli are the fairy 

 homes of tree orchids, lycopods, and lov'ely ferns. As we follow the 

 rippling brook, and jump from stone to stone, fresh forms con- 

 tinuously meet our gaze. Tall and slender tresses of orchids bend 

 over the stream. Erect and wax-like coloured spikes seek shade in 

 the dense undergrowth. Most delicate habenarias and allied genera 

 tempt a patient search. Vines and convolvuluses and a host of 

 creepers make locomotion difficult and dangerous. Rubi, with their 

 thorn covered branches, tear the clothes and the hands. Tall tree- 

 like nettles, by their grace and assumed innocence beguile and 

 punish. Keep off, savenaki, savenaki, cries the black attendant. 

 You brush past, thinking you've escaped the danger, when a host of 

 stings fall upon you. Alas, to make themselves felt after you 

 believed yourself safe. One sea captain professed to be very bold. 

 He got a bunch and carried it in his hat. Very soon his face gave 

 indications of a coming storm. Plucky and proud, he held back his 

 feelings. But ere long, little streauis of blood began to trickle down 

 his temples, And the proud captain had to yif'ld, and promise never 

 again to play with Nature's gay deceivers. Scratched with brambles : 

 stung by nettles ; a mustard poultice along the neck and back, 

 through a multitute of minute insects shaken from fronds of the large 

 woody ferns ; hung and struggling in matted labyrinths of vines and 

 <;reepers, slipping and falling on wetted clay, and yet lured onby tlie 

 •evei' changing scenes; of this earthly paradise. With one breath 

 shouting for joy, with the next swearing with vexation. At one 

 moment making headway, the next hanging and helpless. Now 

 picking bunches of some new fern, then prostrate and bruised in the 

 midst of it all. Perspiration poured off like a river. One moment 

 .striving to sing with joy, the next panting and struggling for breath. 

 But eventually, patience and perseverance reward the effort. 

 As 1 crept up this bewitching dell, new trophies continually re- 

 warded the struggle. Creeping polypodies, leathery and pinnatifid 

 aspleniunis, most glorious selaginellas, pretty grasses delighted the 

 gaze. Many varieties gracefully adorned the trunks of the woodland 

 trees. Others sought the dark shelter of the dense undergrowth. 

 The exquisite gem known as the God's Fern spread its luxuriant 

 wreaths from limb to limb, and from tree to tree. My native 

 boys caught the spirit of the inspiration. They quickly 

 sighted new forms, and cat-like, sprang up the tall tree trimks to 

 secure valued specimens. I was bewildered. Lost in amaze and 

 wonder. But oh, with riches come troubles. No sooner gathered 

 than the beautiful ferns curl up and wither and die, 'Tis useless to 

 seek to make a fairy bouquet. You must carry a portfolio, and pass 

 the ferns at once into your botanical press. But oh, what a pile I 

 and all needing to be changed every few hours. If not, they become 

 specimens of mould and moisture. Beautiful fairyland. In its I'e- 



