AND MOSSES 91 
pleasingly localized than in a sloping field which extend 
from the turnpike road on Sydenhara Hill towards the village. 
Ripening ears of grain grow luxuriantly on either side the 
patrnvay ; to some they might have formed a rustling canopy, 
but to us they presented the semblance of tall stems, up- 
lifting their luxuriant heads to air and light, bringing 
forcibly to mind the vivid description of St. Pierre, who 
loved to lie down among the grass and corn, and observe 
the dappled insects that darted merrily in all directions. 
Half-way down, the view was beautiful ; full in front 
arose the stately tower of Upper Sydtnham church, and in 
the distance the tall spire of Penge church was seen among 
the trees. Far as the eye could reach were hills and woods, 
and in the middle distance corn-fields and pasture land, 
with sheep and cattle. While lingering to admire the lovely 
landscape, comprising in its length and breadth much that 
is especially characteristic of English scenery, we observed 
on our left a space of broken ground covered with ferns and 
furze, and encircled with rustling grain ; on the verge of 
this wild spot, and nestling among the corn, stood a small 
brotherhood of Brake -ferns, so comparatively small and 
delicately formed, that the eye, in looking on them, seemed 
to behold vegetable prototypes of those modest and retiring 
ones who shrink from the rough paths in which others of 
less gentle mood delight to venture. But our problem has 
not yet been solved. "Who may tell the reason why, in a 
land thus favoured with hills, and dales, and sunny glades 
among the woods, the Brake-fern alone is found ? This is 
one of Nature's mysteries ; or it may be that we are in- 
structed by the wonderful arrangement of the vegetable 
world, that all things have their prescribed limits that, 
moreover, the smallest plant or fern has a lesson inscribed 
on its leaves, which the passer-by will do well to read, 
bidding him take note, that each one is endowed with 
qualities which represent somewhat in the moral world. 
Thus, for instance, the geographic arrangement of trees, and 
