FERN LAND. 
17 
sunlight, become developed into their most mature 
forms in cool and shady situations. 
It is, then, the beautiful and unrivalled forms of 
fern-life which fling over Devonshire scenery its 
almost indescribable charm. Peer at low tide 
into yon dark and dripping cavern which yawns 
upon the sea ! The bright sunshine that dances 
upon the rippling waves pauses at the cavern’s 
mouth, as if not daring to penetrate its gloomy 
depths. But just one tiny gleam of light has 
ventured to cross the threshold, and sparkling on 
the dripping water, it flashes through the opaque 
blackness a kind of electric light. As the water 
falls, drip ! drip ! into the pool below, the light 
increases, and then — oh, glorious sight ! — you see at 
the side and on the roof of this lonesome sea-cave 
the beautiful Sea-spleenwort ( Asplenium marinum ), 
hiding its roots in the cavern-walls, and spreading 
out its bright green and shining fronds, that they 
may luxuriate in the dark humidity of its chosen 
retreat. Or peer over yonder cliff, whose inacces- 
sible sides overhang the seething waves ! Look 
closely into the shady cleft which nestles under 
2 
