FROM BROCKENHURST TO LYNDHURST. 191 
shadows of which we encounter tall forms of fox- 
glove, gorgeous with full-blown flowers. In a few 
moments we again emerge upon open forest, and 
follow the course of the stream, which for a short 
distance flows along in its shallow bed on the 
left-hand side of the way, its water brilliant with 
white blossoms, whilst its green banks are tinged 
with white, and gold, and blue, from daisy, butter- 
cup, and pimpernel. Leaving the river, which 
disappears from view as it flows through an 
enclosure on our left, we enter—passing by a 
huge Hawthorn, whose head is covered by a 
glorious mass of blossom from a Honeysuckle 
which has climbed into it—a forest glade covered 
by masses of luxuriant bracken, our green path- 
way rich with golden bloom. We follow on 
from glade to glade, through a sea of gorse and 
brake; now in the open forest, exposed to the direct 
rays of the hot midsummer sun; now passing 
under the shadows of glorious Oaks. Thence we 
pass into a region where the mellow foliage of 
Beech trees is mingled with the darker green of 
Oak, Birches here and there adding, as their 
silvery-grey restless leaves twinkle in the sun, the 
