258 BULLETIN 56, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



undergrowth, covering all the unoccupied spaces. Tying my horse. 

 1 plunged into one of these openings that had proven irresistibly 

 tempting. Its dark, mysterious depths were illuminated by a blaze 

 of brilliant coloring, afforded by the foliage of the hard maple and 

 other trees, then resplendent in autumnal tints. As I descended, some 

 plant or shrub of this alpine flora was noted at almost every step, that 

 reminded me of something I had seen many degrees farther north — 

 the velvety, net-veined leaves of an orchis (Goodyera), Solomon's 

 seal, bellwort, violet, pyrola, coral root, gooseberry, raspberry, elder 

 purple-flowering raspberry, dewberry, etc. At length, the way 

 became more choked with underbrush, and then I discovered that I 

 had entered the haunts of "bruin." In fact, I was unwittingly 

 following a bear trail through the dense thicket, and bear signs were 

 everywhere visible. Here was a track, there an overturned rock or 

 log where the bears had been searching for the insects upon which 

 they delight to feast, and even the spot where one had enjoyed a 

 siesta at the base of a huge spruce. At the sudden dawning of the 

 idea that I was possibly running into close quarters with one or more 

 of these formidable beasts with no better weapon than a shotgun, 

 the feeling of enjoyment and critical interest in my surroundings 

 gave place to one of excitement, if not apprehension. Therefore I 

 loaded with buckshot and moved cautiously forward. Presently a 

 crashing, crackling noise was heard in advance, accompanied by the 

 sound of brushing branches, breaking twigs, and rustling leaves. 

 Crouching in readiness behind a spruce trunk, I imagined the sound 

 was approaching, but it again receded and curiosity led me to follow 

 it. A moment later I was nearly hit on the head by a heavy, green 

 pine cone that came rattling down from a very tall tree top. cracking 

 off dry twigs in its descent, and then rustling among the dry leaves 

 as it rolled down the steep hillside to the bottom of the ravine. This 

 was immediately followed by another, and then another, until I dis- 

 covered a couple of these active little squirrels industriously engaged 

 in harvesting the large, resinous cones, and quickly brought one little 

 fellow to bag. thereby adding to my collection the third novelty in 

 squirrels on that day. On going forward to pick up the specimen, a 

 pile of cones was discovered which would have filled a flour barrel, 

 and more than an equal quantity lay scattered upon the ground. I 

 think they are usually buried in tin 1 ground or in old logs for winter 

 use, as hollow trees are scarce in such places. I afterwards found 

 the ground beneath the trees that they inhabited deeply pitted with 

 holes, into which they were continually digging, late in May. at 

 which season spring i- just opening at these high altitude-. 



During several succeeding days this squirrel was daily -ecu in simi- 



