189 
is a sea of mountains, which far away on the horizon seems to lose 
itself among the clouds. 
Blowing Rock is a summer resort, situated almost on the back- 
bone of the Blue Ridge, at an altitude of 4000 feet. The Blowing 
Rock itself is one of.a series of ledges which jut out along the 
mountain side. There is generally a stiff breeze blowing over it 
from the trough-like valley below; hence its name. 
My first botanizing was done on its. ledges, and I was well 
pleased with the result. Saszrifraga leucanthemifolia, Mx., was 
not plentiful, but more vigorous than at any other place where I 
saw it. Heuchera villosa, Mx., Amianthium muscetoxicum (Walt.), 
Gray, Sedum telephioides Mx., Potentilla tridentata, Ait., Clethra 
acuminata, Mx., and Carex estivalis, M. A. Curtis, were repre- 
sented, as was also the beautiful Paronychia argyrocoma, Nutt., 
which grew in mats upon the rocks. There was also a _ peculiar 
form of Allium cernuum, Roth., with deep pink-purple flowers. 
In the woods back of the rocks I found Galium Jlatifolium, 
Mx., Galax aphylla, L., Danthoiia compressa, Austin, the typical 
form of Houstonia purpurea, L., Tradescantia pilosa, Lehm., and 
Pentstemon levigatus, Soland., which is quite different from the 
one collected in the vicinity of Salisbury. This one grows much 
taller, has larger and thinner leaves, and dark pink flowers. The 
flowers, however, were scarce, but there was plenty of good fruit. 
- Down in the dark, shady hollow below the rocks were Me/- 
anthium parvifiorum (Mx.), Watson, and Spire@a Aruncus, L., 
with their Northern neighbors, Orchzs sie sae L., and Clin- 
tonia borealis (Ait.), Raf. 
Early on the morning of the 22d I started to tramp to Grand- 
father Mountain, fifteen miles distant. The first thing collected 
was 7rillium erythrocarpum, Mx., in fruit. Along the roadside 
in a shady nook, where a tiny stream trickles into a depression in 
a large moss-covered rock, were some nice F epecimans of Thalic- 
trum clavatum, DC. 
Before arriving at the Watauga river, I found Actea alba, Mill., 
Campanula divaricata, Mx., Silene Virginica, L., Phlox panicu- 
lata .., Blephilia hirsuta, Benth., and Pycnanthemum montanum, 
Moe 
At Scholl’s Mill the road. turns to the left, following the banks 
