THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 
59 
the deep, dark, shining, green fronds of the Harts- 
tongue. Or we may espy specimens of the Black 
Maidenhair Spleenwort, of the Wall-rue, or of the 
Common Maidenhair Spleenwort. Now the light 
increases; but fields and hedge-rows are still shut 
out by the steep sandstone and slate rock, from 
which, however, high up above our heads cluster 
and peep out numerous ferny tufts, looking freshest 
and greenest w T here, from the high level above, 
some trickling moisture falls over the steep rock. 
Then, for a moment, the high land appears to 
recede as the train rushes through some gorge, 
leaving hill and cutting behind, and revealing to 
the eyes of the delighted passenger the wood- 
covered and ferny valley, or the fern-covered 
upland slope. A railway is seldom suggestive of 
fern-land. The hourly rush of traffic, for pas- 
sengers and “ goods,” reminds one unpleasantly 
of the town, and of its hurry and bustle. The 
railway — to the lover of nature — mars the free 
wild aspect of the woods and fields. But nature 
conquers everywhere in Devonshire. Even its 
iron-lined roads are subdued by the soften- 
