FERNY COMBES. 
63 
get occasional peeps of the Dart, now considerably 
swollen by the small streams that have joined it in 
its way ; then woods make their appearance, look- 
ing green and refreshing after the wide expanse of 
moor one has looked on so long, and presently, at 
a turn of the road, you see below the junction of 
the East and West Dart. This spot is truly mag- 
nificent : the two rivers, flowing down their respec- 
tive valleys over their rocky beds, unite below the 
bridge, and disappear in the windings of a deep 
glen, surmounted by granite- capped Tors. 
Erom the bridge the views on all sides are su- 
perb, — rocks, mountains, vales, woods, rivers, thrown 
together by the prodigal hand of Nature. 
Unfortunately for the lover of the picturesque 
the road does not continue along the valley, but 
mounts the hillside to another exposed portion of 
the Moor. As one slowly ascends amid countless 
hut circles strewn in every direction, we pause at 
every half-dozen steps and cast longing lingering 
looks at the fairy-like place, and wonder we never 
knew before how surpassingly lovely is our own 
country. 
Devonshire hedges are doubtless very rich in 
ferns ; but they are anything but agreeable when 
one wants to see the country. On the borders of 
the Moor they are higher and thicker than usual ; 
