1869.] PLANTS OP NEWFOUNDLAND. 259 



delicate foliage around. The Wild Mint (Mentha Cavadensis) 

 reared its formal spikes of pink flowers in tufts beside the pools, 

 the mud around which, in many places, seemed as if iron-stained 

 from the profusion of the low-lying clammy brown leaves of the 

 Sun-dew (^Drosera rotundifoUa) . 



The small Cranberry (^Vaccinium oxt/coccus), Dwarf Raspberry 

 (Riihus trijiorns), and Creeping Snowberry (Chiogenes hispidula) 

 wreathed the moss-covered stumps and fallen logs among the 

 clumps of Alder (^Alnus incana), Labrador Tea (Ledum lati- 

 foUum), Sheep and Pale Laurel {Kahnia anguftifolia et glauca), 

 in which the little Smilacinas (*S'. hifolia et trlfolia) found a 

 quiet retreat, leaving the Polypodiums (P. Dryopteris et Phe- 

 gopteiis) and Bunch-berry (Coruns Canadensis), to mount 

 guard on the hillocks outside. A striking feature of this 

 place was the great quantity of the Pink Ehodora (R. Cana- 

 densis), which was now in full bloom, and reminded one of a 

 fine greenhouse display of Azaleas. It was found growing in 

 all the swampy ground on the way up to Cairn Mountain, near the 

 summit of which I obtained a pure white specimen. A species of 

 Willow and Wild Rose grew along the fence of a field, in which 

 the Canadian Burnet (^Sanguisoiha Canadensis), and early 

 Meadow-Rue (ThaJictrum dioicum) found a suitable hahifaf. 



After pass ng the swampy ' intervale ' south of Flat Bay 

 Harbour, the land rose considerably, became much dryer, and 

 produced a different class of plants. The Rowan tree (Pi/rus 

 Americana), Shad bush (Amelanchier Canadensis) and Maples 

 (^Acer rubrum et Spicatum) with tangles of the Wild Red Rasp- 

 berry {Ruhus strigosus, Michx;, Great Willow Herb (^Epllohium 

 angustifoliiim), and Bracken (Pteris aquilina), now appeared. 

 The little Mitrewort (Mitella nuda, L.), Clintonia (C. borealis, 

 Raf.) and Linnaeus' favourite Twin flower (Linnoia borealis, 

 Gronov.), were also found. The pathway, leading through a 

 light wood and among Blueberry bushes (^Vacciniiun Pennsi/l- 

 vaniaum, Lam.), brought us to the edge of one of those open 

 areas or barrens which form such a peculiar feature in the 

 scenery of Newfoundland. Mr. Comack, in the narrative of his 

 journey across the southern part of the island, describes several 

 which were many miles in extent ; but this one was not more 

 than two miles across. Its level surface was almost entirely 

 covered with deep wet sphagnum moss, and relieved only here 

 and there by a stunted spruce, or broken by deep circular 



