144 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
them a most lovely aspect. Beneath, revelling in 
the cool shelter afforded by the Ferns which have 
been named, is a Lady Fern, throwing np its 
tender fronds with the drooping habit which is 
the charming characteristic of this species. 
Still, for a long distance, the lane follows its 
winding course between high moss, ivy and Fern- 
covered banks, with trees Air above, arching- 
over and excluding the sunlight. Our path now 
becomes more like the rocky bed of some river, 
which a long drought has temporarily dried 
up. On our right we presently pass, in the 
twilight created by the shrubs around and above 
us, a hedge-bank which is clothed with the most 
beautiful moss, growing amongst which are thou¬ 
sands of baby Ferns, just springing into existence, 
and beginning to assume the ferny forms. The 
deep shade flung by hedge-bank and over-arching 
trees, and the perpetual moisture which is engen¬ 
dered between them, render this spot a congenial 
hiding-place for the Fern-spores which germinate 
on the damp soil of the mossy hedge-bank. 
And now the swift descent of the hill-side path 
is gently broken. From the deep, soft shade of 
