ii8 THE PLANT WORLD. 



determined as H. molle), H. stramineum and a number of more com- 

 mon species. Large areas of Polytrichiun strictiun and Pogonatiivi 

 capillare were frequent all over the mountain. Tetraplodon bryoides 

 (Zoega) Lindb., grew on decaying organic matter about the stables 

 and on a large rock in front of them was a large mat of Racoinitriiini 

 hypnoides (L.) Lindb. 



The writer had flattered himself that he could tell an hepatic 

 from a moss in the field, but he was completely disillusioned by Gym- 

 noniitriuvi concinnatuui with its closely appressed leaves and julaceous 

 branches, and had it not been for its deeply emarginate leaves he 

 would still be wondering what that rare moss from Grand Gulf might 

 be. 



Although we had by no means made a complete collection of the 

 flora of Mt. Washington, not having visited Bigelow's Lawn, the 

 Crawford Trail, or the Alpine Garden, yet we began retracing our 

 steps at 4:00 p. M., with a feeling that for a single day's work we had 

 reason to congratulate ourselves. 



After a long and weary descent, much longer and wearier than 

 the morning ascent, we reached Darby Field about 8:00 p. m , as tired 

 a pair of botanists as one often encounters, yet with an enduring 

 recollection of a pleasant and profitable day on Mt. Washington. 



Note. — The plants which were in bloom August 16, are marked * unless the condition is 

 otherwise specified. The nomenclature of the flowering plants is that of Britton and Brown's 

 ' Illustrated Flora" and of the mosses that of Lesquereux & James' Manual, except when au- 

 thorities are given. 



That veteran collector, Mr. C. G. Pringle, gives the following advice to those about to make a 

 collecting trip to Mt. Washington : " Wise is he, who desiring to botanize on the White Moun- 

 tains, selects the clear weather with north wind which succeeds a clearing storm, and fortunate 

 is he if he is able to do this. Be very cautious when travelling over the mountain in a fog." 



The legends and folk-lore of the Christinas Rose {Helleborus niger 

 vars.), or "the rose that blooms in the snow," are many. Thus we 

 are told by the "old masters" in their black-lettered tomes that it 

 first bloomed in Eden, where it was called "the Rose of Affection." 

 When Adam and Eve were driven from the garden delectable, they 

 grieved at leaving all the exquisite blossoms of Paradise behind them, 

 and at the hardship of leaving the sunshine for a land covered with 

 frost and snow, and then it was that pitying angels obtained permis- 

 sion to give them one flower, "the Rose of Love," as a divine token 

 of forbearance and of grace. The peasants of Alsatiahave a tradition 

 still that the Christmas Rose — common in their woods and mountains 

 — first bloomed in the snow at the hour of the Nativity, and Grimm's 

 story connecting the rose with the Christ-child is well known. — F. W. 

 Bur bridge in " The Garden." 



