335. 
At Morganton the party was completed by the addition of Mrs. 
Gray, her brother, and his two daughters—the lay members of the 
expedition, but sharers in all botanical labors. One day served for 
the needful preparation and for a little botanizing on the banks of 
the Catawba, and on the morning of the 11th of June the expedition 
moved toward Table Rock with all its equipments. Four of the 
party on horses led the way. A one-horse buggy, which proved 
admirably adapted to rough roads, conveyed two. A three-seated 
waggon with a pair of mules, driven by Jeff—a greyheaded mulatto 
and an admirable driver—assisted by his boy, took the remainder, 
which included Mr. Hyams and his boy Fred, a lad of eleven or 
twelve, whose knowledge of botany already nearly equalled that of 
his father. Another rough country wagon, drawn by mules and 
driven by a white man, conveyed the baggage and brought up the 
rear, 
Just before sunset the house nearest Table Rock was reached, 
that of Mr. Sisk, who is accustomed to entertain visitors and guide 
them to the summit, where his field lecture upon the geology of the 
region, and upon cosmogony in general, forms a part of the entertain- 
ment. And hére be it noted that a shower after we were housed, and 
another while equally housed for the mid-day meal, and a third on a 
subsequent afternoon, requiring an hour’s halt, comprise all the rain 
which the expedition encountered ; although the region is generally 
showery in summer. 
On the r2th was made the ascent of Table Rock, a most re- — 
markable summit, belonging to the Blue Ridge system, presenting in 
one direction the tabular profile which gives it its name, and from 
another a sharp conical outline not unlike that of the Matterhorn.* 
The botanists returned from it laden with plants, and it was curious 
to see among them so many of the species which are associated with the 
sandy barrens and swamps of southern New Jersey, such, for instance, 
as Xerophyllum asphodeliotdes, Letophyllum buxifolium, Amianthium 
muscetoxicum and Hudsonia montana, the last indeed a species peculiar 
to Table Rock, but closely allied to the H. ertcoides of New Jersey. 
Rhododendron punctatum was collected on the summit, though not 
in flower, also Afenziesia globularis. Scirpus cespitosus was there, true 
to its preferences. Vaccinium corymbosum vat. pallidum was common 
here and at other points among the mountains. Galax aphylla, now 
just in flower, abounded here and throughout the mountain forests, 
and its glossy circular leaves and slender spikes of white flowers 
make it one of the most charming of the woodland plants. 
A drive of a dozen miles the same afternoon brought us—the first 
‘guests of the season—to a large and comfortable house of entertain- 
ment, at Piedmont Springs, charmingly situated near the head of a 
icturesque deep valley. Both host and hostess were remarkable for 
their height,—their charges for their lowness. ais 
Long as June days are, and short as a journey of 1 3 OF 14 miles 
might seem to be, the next day was none too long to bring the party 
* Its height is 3,918 feet above tide-water, according to Prof. Kerr, the State 
Geologist. It commands a magnificent view. 
