FERNY COMBES. 
57 
mines. This part of the Tamar is decidedly equal 
to the finest parts of the Wye, and we can but 
regret that we had not time for a sail up and down 
this beautiful river of the west. 
After leaving the Morwell Rocks, we determined 
if possible to make our way to a place called the 
Virtuous Lady Mine ; an odd name for a mine, but 
said to have been given it in honour of Queen Eli- 
zabeth. We were warned that the road was none 
of the best, being merely a way to the mine ; but 
we determined to take our chance, being desirous 
of seeing all that ought to be seen. 
It was a long, long hill down, and the road was 
so full of ruts we were obliged to walk, but we 
arrived safely at the bottom; and certainly the 
place was well worth a visit, particularly “ Double 
Water,” where the Tavy and Walkham join. The 
usual characteristics of Devonshire scenery abound 
— rocks, woods, rivers, and in the centre a “ tim- 
bering bridge,” and hard by a rock literally clothed 
with Asplenium lanceolatvm.^ On the bridge was 
a gate, locked ; and one went to hunt amid wheels 
and engines for the key, while the other watched 
the horse and gathered specimens. 
After we had passed the mine, the road became 
worse and worse, but the impossibility of turning 
* Plate III. Fig. 1. 
