8 
course onward, we have on the right bank the parish of 
Crewkerne, a parish to be admired for its noble Church 
nestling among the trees, however much we mav regret that 
it is not so favourable for promoting the growth of our 
favourite plants. At the very source itself we enter the 
parish of Beaminster, lying in the midst of beauteous emi- 
nences and sloping hills, adorned with flowers and Ferns 
and many a rural treasure. On the tributaries we have 
Cricket House, the seat of Lord Bridport, with its well- 
wooded and undulating grounds, the ancient town of Chard, 
said to have been built by Cerdic, king of the "West Saxons, 
and the pleasant retreats of Farway, Offwell, and sundry 
other pretty villages. On every side, all is deeply inter- 
esting. From the village and bounds of Charmouth to the 
utmost point of Stockland hill ; from the beach of the little 
fishing village of Beer to Axe Knoller, the source of the 
stream ; whether we turn to the right hand or to the left, 
our eyes are continually feasted with the loveliest scenery. 
The woods, the hills, the vales diversify the prospect and 
pour forth in richest profusion the choicest productions of a 
gracious God. 
THE FEENS OF THE AXE. 
Feens generally delight in a moist and humid clime. 
Though few of ours grow by the river’s side, yet the same 
liquid element that feeds the water of the one, gives life to 
the other. There is scarcely a bog, or dripping wood, or 
damp shady lane, where traces of the Fern tribe are not to 
be found throughout this interesting neighbourhood. In 
many a neglected wall, or bridge, or church, or crevice of a 
rock, the humbler of these plants are seen creeping with their 
rolled-in buds, and silently demand our praise and obser- 
vation. Hay, the very works of art cannot expel these dear 
children of nature. As certain of the feathered tribe have 
left their natural haunts, and thronged to the habitations 
of men, so certain of these Ferns have deserted their original 
residence among the rocks, and are scarcely ever seen except 
