1924] PALMER, THE LIGNEOUS FLORA OF RICH MOUNTAIN 115 



gorgeous display of the blossoms of the Pink Azalea (Rhododendron roseum), 

 its clusters of showy flowers terminating the still naked branches. The 

 Flowering Dogwood and Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis) also display 

 their blossoms through the leafless woods at this time. A little later, in 

 the same environment, bloom the Cucumber-tree (Magnolia acuminata), 

 Chinquapin and Linden, the last, with the wild Grapes and the yellow- 

 flowered Honeysuckle (Lonicera flava), filling the air with fragrance. 

 Here and on the intervening slopes at these half way levels, grow many 

 fine specimens of White and Black Oak, Linden, Black Gum and several 

 kinds of Hickory, one of which may belong to an undescribed species. 

 Climbing laboriously a little farther over slippery ledges, tangled 

 shrubbery and fallen logs, we may emerge upon one of the curious rubble 

 fields or rock slides, similar to those described on the south slopes of 

 Blackfork Mountain. But on this side they are usually of smaller extent 

 and confined to the vicinity of the eroded stream channels. The rocks 

 here are not quite so barren and destitute of plant life as on the south slopes. 

 Near the margins and at intervals amongst the rocks numerous plants, 

 including several shrubs and small trees have taken possession. A tall 

 white-flowered Composite (Polymnia canadensis L.) is common, and vines 

 of the Grape (Vitis cordifolia) trail over the rocks or climb over low bushes 

 of Hydrangea, Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) and the prickly-fruited 

 Gooseberry (Ribes Cynosbati). The last is very frequent and grows to a 

 large size, some of the hispid canes being two or three meters in length 

 and twenty to twenty-five millimeters in diameter. It was a great sur- 

 prise to find this northern species growing here, and the curious way in 

 which it has adapted itself to this unusual environment is no less interesting, 

 There is little soil amongst the large sandstone blocks, but such as there is 

 consists of leaf humus added to the sand from their disintegrating surfaces, 

 and many of the rocks are moss grown and moist for a large part of the 

 season. During rainy periods the waters, which emerge in the stream 

 farther down, may be heard rushing and rumbling, probably several meters 

 below, and the roots of these shrubs undoubtedly find their way amongst 

 the crevices of the rocks to this water supply. Clambering slowly over 

 these boulders, which is not without danger, especially in wet weather, 

 when they are slippery and treacherous and a misstep might result in a 

 broken limb, we may shortly come to a comparatively level bench, perhaps 

 thirty or forty meters in depth, bounded by rocky ledges or a steep bank 

 above, and partially enclosed on the sides, thus forming a small cove open 

 to the north or lower slope of the mountain. Deposits of soil have accumu- 

 lated here, washed down from the higher levels, and it has also been en- 

 riched with leaf mould of ages from the deciduous forest. By reason of 

 the fertility of this soil, the more constant supply of moisture and protec- 

 tion afforded from the hot dry winds of summer, these coves support a 

 particularly luxuriant and interesting flora. Here, in addition to many 

 of the trees and shrubs previously mentioned, are found fine specimens of 



