FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 
91 
gracefully over the stream in splendid clusters, 
lapped it with their beautiful tips. 
Beyond the bridge the stream flowed for a 
short distance under the dark shadows of the 
wood—winding, falling, splashing, and foaming as 
it hurried along out of sight. The peep in this 
direction was delightful. Trees above,—moss- 
covered, ivy-covered branches ; some gnarled, and 
others fresh and vigorous—trees on each side, all 
densely clothed with their fresh and glorious May 
dress. The clear brook reflected the shadows of 
trees and shrubs, and became dimly seen as it 
disappeared under the dark vista of the wood. 
This vista, formed of the delightfully intermingled 
branches of the trees overhead, presented the 
most charming peep. The matted branches, green 
limbs and twigs, would fairly have excluded the 
light, were it not that at the darkest and densest 
part of the canopy slight openings afforded a view 
of the sky, and whilst they admitted the softened 
sunrays, gave the prospect of a beautiful wood- 
crowned hill, rising upwards beyond the delight¬ 
ful canopy, which hung so gracefully over the 
clear and glancing waters of the brook. 
