FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 
95 
the fresh green hedge-banks near ns were nume¬ 
rous specimens of the Male Fern, the Harts- 
tongue, the Soft Prickly Shield Fern, and small 
plants of the Bracken, delightfully intermingled 
with ivy, moss, and wild hyacinths. 
A little further on the road we found the tops 
of the hedges on each side crowned with number- 
less tall specimens of the Bracken and presenting 
a peculiarly graceful and beautiful appearance. 
At a short distance from this place, the road 
suddenly descends as it bends sharply round to 
the right. At this point a beautiful view of the 
valley lying below on the left, with its wooded 
bottoms, its orchards, and its meadows, is revealed; 
here and there houses picturesquely dotted about, 
and, away in the high background, green hills. 
Immediately next the road, and on the first 
slope of the descent into the valley is a small 
orchard, in which the Brakes, when we saw them, 
grew so thickly and luxuriantly as to touch the 
tips of the fruit trees, and give a most singular 
and romantic aspect to the scene. 
Now the view again changes in true Devonshire 
fashion as we pass onward. Our road rapidly 
G 
