efforts
of Nature to cover and hide the deformities of riven rocks and
yawning chasms have produced trees of fantastic shape and remarkable
diversity. The broken rocks afford sustenance for many plants, the
chloritic marl liberated making the ground wonderfully fertile.
This stone seat forms a natural throne on which many parties have
found a trysting-place. As it stands in the principal pathway it
is a well-known resting-place.

[Illustration: _On the Road to Blackgang._]

ON THE ROAD TO BLACKGANG.--"One of the most charming drives in
England," is the verdict of many visitors to the far-famed Undercliff,
as they go through shady groves and again emerge under the weather-worn
craggy cliffs above the road. In spring the ground under the trees
is carpeted with flowers, and the winding road uphill and down
creates a transformation scene at every turn. There is no rest for
the eye, and all the faculties are awake to enjoy a new sensation
of delight as each corner in the road is turned. It is a perfect
fairy land, and the rugged walls are half hidden by multitudes
of plants which enhance the lights upon the stone.

[Illustration: _Windy Corner--The Undercliff._]

WINDY CORNER--THE UNDERCLIFF.--One of the most romantic districts
in the whole of England is the Undercliff, extending for five miles
from Ventnor to Blackgang Chine. Its beauty has been caused by the
slipping away of the Gault clay, letting down the masses of Upper
Greensand rock. The chert beds of the cliff have been weathered
out by wind and rain into forms of rugged beauty, while the broken
and undulating ground below is filled with flowers and vegetation
of the most wonderful and varied character, scattered rocks peeping
out among the foliage furnishing bits of a most attractive character
to the artist and photographer.

[Illustration: _Ventnor, looking East._]

VENTNOR, LOOKING EAST.--The differences of elevation afford to
most of the houses in Ventnor practically uninterrupted views of
the sea. The sheltered nature of the site also furnishes a most
congenial climate, in which plants and shrubs in great variety
flourish. The horned poppy adorns the cliffs, and valerian and
tamarisk thrive even during the winter months. Its peculiarities
of climate and position render it a highly favourable residence
for invalids throughout the year. It would be difficult to name any
place of equal extent and variety of surface, or of equal beauty
in point of sc