62 
HAKDY PERNS. 
is visible. It is sometimes to be found on rocks, 
and in this situation the fronds will reach six or 
even seven inches in length, while the full fructifi- 
cation will form a little border of brown fur on the 
outer side. Whenever I look at Ceterach, it 
seems to whisper to me — 
" He prayeth best who loveth most 
All things both great and small ; 
For the dear God who loveth us, 
He made and loveth all." 
Bound on a pilgrimage to Clevedon in Somer- 
setshire with a friend whose life taught me the 
spirit of the ancient mariner's rhyme, we stopped 
at the little village of Ashton near Chfton, and 
there, abounding in profusion, we found Ceterach. 
All the lower parts of the walls had been cleared 
by wayfarers like ourselves; but high above it 
hung out its green banners too temptingly to resist. 
We tried to reach it in vain. Old women in white, 
full-bordered cap and neat kerchief, came out to 
look. ''Would miss like a chair and a knife ? " 
Thus armed, "miss" was invincible ; and under the 
smiling protection of the old women she scooped 
