WILD FLOWEES OF OCTOBEE. 



CHAP. XXIII. 



AUTUMNAL WEATHER FAVOURABLE FOR EXPLORATION 

 ADVENTURE AT MAENTWROG, MERIONETHSHIRE FALLS 



OF FESTINIOG A BREAKDOWN ASCENT OF SNOWDON 



PLANTS GATHERED ON ITS LOFTY ROCKS CLOUDY PROS- 

 PECT RAINY OUTPOURINGS BRAMBLES AT CAUNANT 

 MAWR A TRUCE TO WANDERING. 



" Upon the mountains, gemmed with morning dew, 

 In the prime hour of sweetest scents and airs." 



WORDSWORTH. 



OCTOBEE is undoubtedly the best month of the year 

 in Britain for the pedestrian wanderer, and therefore 

 by no means unworthy the attention of the " Bota- 

 nical Explorator." More especially is it in general 

 favourable for ascending the mountain fastnesses of 

 Wales or Cumberland. The morning opens with all 

 the balminess of spring without its bitter blasts with 

 all the warmth of summer, without its oppressive 

 glare ; sleeping masses of vapour rest in the hollows 

 of the hills like silver lakes ; and the first rays of the 

 rising sun glancing upon the fading forest garnishes 

 it with gold, or resting on some old pear-tree, charms 

 the sight with the richest hues of crimson and carmine 

 exhibited by its foliage. In the height of summer it is 

 but rarely that any very extensive view presents itself 

 from a lofty eminence, in this uncertain climate ; for 



