130 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
the sunny aspect of the hedge-side that the Fern 
specimens are small. Following the bend of the 
lane, we find that the grass-covered pathway 
narrows, whilst the hedges close in. Trees now, 
ivy as well as moss-covered, are on each side of 
us, and interlace their green tops. Then, between 
moss-covered, Fern-fringed hedge-banks, we pass 
an open fir copse on the right. Anon the lane, 
still winding round to the left, narrows more 
rapidly still; narrows indeed so much, that the 
bushes which crown its hedges almost meet over¬ 
head, and thus arresting the moisture and in¬ 
creasing the shade, cause the Ferns on each side 
to become developed into grander forms, until 
two or three splendid specimens of the Broad 
Buckler Fern and the Male Fern in the hedge- 
bank on the right compel us to pause and admire 
their exquisitely graceful aspect. A few steps 
farther on, still bending round to the left, we 
again stop to admire the splendid growth of a 
Brake, which, growing out of the humid hedge- 
bank, has reached a height of eight feet. Now the 
lane for a short distance observes a straighter and 
narrower course, between hedge-banks contain- 
