56 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
in sunshine, hiding all beside under damp masses 
of foliage. Others again will bear the sunlight if 
they can just find a refuge for their roots in the 
damp hedge-bank, in the moist crevices of walls 
and ruins, or amidst the interlaced branches of 
trees. There are others still which hide where not 
even the tiniest ray of sunlight can pierce the dark 
retreat which they choose, and where they can 
revel in soft and humid warmth. But all Ferns, 
even the sunniest of the modest family, love 
moisture and shade the best, and though they 
will sometimes grow in the full 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 
