THE EEGION OF THE AXE. 
It was our original intention to have confined our researches 
to “The Ferns of the Axe” — the Ferns of the parishes 
through which the Axe and its tributaries flow — hut the 
romantic dells of Uplyme, the bold hills overhanging Lyme, 
Charmouth, with the distant view of the majestic Golden- 
cap, and the wild scenery around Monk ton Wylde and 
Wootton Fitzpaine, cannot be passed over by the lover 
of nature’s works. The plants are so choice and the 
neighbourhood so inviting, that, though our stream will not 
water these spots, we must consider Lyme, Charmouth, 
Uplyme, Monkton Wylde, and Wootton Fitzpaine, as be- 
longing to the region of the Axe. Neither are the various 
parishes, through which our river and its branches and 
streamlets flow, devoid of great beauty. The fine open bay 
of Seaton, with Haven cliff on the one side and the perpen- 
dicular white chalk rocks of Beer on the other, are points 
of great attraction. As we advance onward, the view of 
Colyton Church, with its noble tower raising its head in a 
lovely vale, arrest the eye and charm the beholder. As the 
stream winds its bending course further still, the rich, lux- 
uriant meadows near Axminster, with the prospect of Cloak- 
ham house, and the Dal wood and Stockland hills, seem to 
tell the traveller a tale — that he is treading on enchanted 
ground. Two miles to the east is Trinity hill, whence we 
behold the clear blue waters of the sea, the river gliding 
through the vale, a diversified prospect of hills and dales, 
with a distant and, sometimes, clear view of Hey tor in the 
forest of Dartmoor. As we reach nearer the source of the 
Axe, we pass by Forde Abbey, known for its splendid tapes- 
try and pleasant and agreeable situation. Wending our 
