n8 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



How magnificently the rock-ledges up-rose on either hand! Granite, 

 gneiss, porphyry, feldspar, trap, quartz, limestone, syenite and slate 

 were superposed in varied degrees of thickness and projection, all 

 tinted with their characteristic colors and decked off with wreaths 

 of superb flowers. 



As 1 neared the open volume T detected irregularities of the 

 sides as if the pages were crumpled or plaited. Nearing the 

 entrance the right-hand page was found to be composed of a long 

 series of upright divisions all hinged together by vertical depres- 

 sions like a segmented panorama or series of pictures which one 

 folds between covers for safe transportation; the left-hand page had 

 fewer but grander swelling folds and all were richly decorated with 

 flowers and ferns many of which I had never seen before. How 

 charming was this nearer view! For vignettes on the lower margin 

 of the pages there is, on the right a row of lovely maples just now 

 shedding their double-oared seeds; on the left, a row of thrifty 

 walnut trees bending with yellowing fruit. 



Penetrating to the inner angle of the enclosure where all the 

 water pearls unite to form a rivulet I scanned the almost vertical 

 walls to determine if they could be scaled. The discovery in the first 

 horizontal fissure of a rare and beautiful fern ( Asjpidmmjuglandifo- 

 Uum) that has not before been found west of Texas, decided me to. 

 make the attempt, even if I had to return to camp for ropes and let 

 down a knotted one from the top the next day. But excited by 

 the prospects ahead I hastily divested myself of all weight possible, 

 but retaining portfolio and pick, I assaulted the rock- barriers. 

 Slight projections occurred at long intervals, cavities were dug in 

 the soft sandstone for fingers, then toes, while fortunately, over 

 the thickest ledges of jutting rocks such bushes as dwarf oak and 

 evergreen sumac often trailed their branches within reach. 



Gaining the second landing a new flower was discovered and an- 

 other rare shield-fern (species unknown). AVith increased toil and 

 peril the third narrow bench was reached at an elevation of about 

 100 feet. Two more ferns — one of them new (a Cheilanthes) — with 

 several other novelties were found peeping out from the clefts as if 

 to welcome the intruder and invite his gathering hand. 



How much these discoveries stimulated to continued efforts, 

 and blinded the judgment to probable disastrous consequences I 

 leave my young botanical brothers to imagine. At the next 

 resting place which was a little wider ledge than the preceding, I 

 was well nigh exhausted and was perspiring profusely, but before I 

 had an opportunity to settle myself on a narrow seat another most 

 beautiful and rare fern was detected! It was now long after noon 

 and as this vast conservatory was on the east side of the mountain 

 the sun was hidden and the cold descending winds chilled me to 

 shivering. 



But other rare or even new ferns might be awaiting, besides 



