I sauntered forth with cutlass and collecting-box, careless whither I went, and careless of what I saw; for everything that I could see would be worth seeing.

I know not that I found many rare or new things that day.

I recollect, amid the endless variety of objects, Film-ferns of various delicate species, some growing in the moss tree-trunks, some clasping the trunk itself by horizontal lateral fronds, while the main rachis climbed straight up many feet, thus embracing the stem in a network of semi-transparent green Guipure lace.

I recollect, too, a coarse low fern {245} on stream-gravel which was remarkable, because its stem was set with thick green prickles.

I recollect, too, a dead giant tree, the ruins of which struck me with awe.