FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 4 7 
shuttlecock-shaped fronds of noble specimens of 
the Male Fern. The left banks of the brook hung 
far over the water, the bushes, ivy, and moss-covered 
branches of trees which crowned them affording 
cool, dark, and moist nooks for the ferns, whose 
exquisite fronds, dropping gracefully over the 
stream in splendid clusters, lapped it with their 
beautiful tips. 
Beyond the bridge the stream flows for a short 
distance under the dark shadows of the wood, 
winding, falling, splashing, and foaming as it 
hurries along out of sight. The peep in this 
direction is delightful. Trees above, — moss- 
covered, ivy-covered branches ; some gnarled, and 
others fresh and vigorous : trees on each side, all 
densely clothed with their fresh and glorious May 
dress. The clear brook reflects the shadows of 
trees and shrubs, and becomes dimly seen as it 
disappears under the dark vista of the wood. 
This vista, formed of the delightfully intermingled 
branches of the trees overhead, presents the most 
charming peep. The matted branches, greeft limbs 
and twigs, would fairly exclude the light, were it not 
