THE WOOD 19 



behind it as one comes up the Fern walk, are a Holly 

 and a Mountain Ash. 



This spot is a meeting-place of several ways. On 

 the right the wide green of the Lily path ; then, still 

 bearing diagonally to the right, one of the paths into 

 the region of Azalea and Cistus ; then, straight past 

 the big tree, a wood walk carpeted with Whortleberry 

 that passes through a whole Whortleberry region 

 under Oaks, Hollies and Beeches ; and, lastly, the path 

 which is the continuation of the Fern walk. Looking 

 along it one sees, a little way ahead, a closer shade of 

 tr^ps, for the most part Oak, but before entering this, 

 on the right-hand gently rising bank, is a sheet of 

 bright green leaves, closely set in May with neat spikes 

 of white bloom. It is Smilacina hifolia, otherwise 

 known as Maianthemum bi/olium. The pretty little 

 plant has taken to the place in a way that rejoices the 

 heart of the wild gardener, joining in perfect accord 

 with the natural growth of short Whortleberry and a 

 background of the graceful fronds of Dilated Shield 

 Fern, and looking as if it was of spontaneous growth. 



Now the path passes a large Holly, laced through 

 and through with wild Honeysuckle. The Honey- 

 suckle stems that run up into the tree look like great 

 ropes, and a quantity of the small ends come showering 

 out of the tree-top and over the path, like a tangled 

 veil of small cordage. 



The path has been steadily rising, and now the 

 ascent is a little steeper. The character of the trees 

 is changing ; Oaks are giving way to Scotch Firs. 

 Just where this change begins the bank to right and 



