THE LITERARY 



OF THE LINN^AN ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. 



Vol. I. FEBRUARY, 1845. No. 4. 



CONTRIBUTION'S TOWARDS A CATALOGUE OF THE TREES AND 

 SHRUBS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA. 



BY SPENCER F. BA.IBD, OF CARLISLE, PA. 



In no instance is the close connection between the various depart- 

 ments of nature more clearly shown, than in the relation which the ge- 

 ological structure and general features of any portion of land, bear to 

 its flora. If for any locality certain data are given, such as the latitude, 

 soil, and position relative to other objects, we can in almost every in- 

 stance determine beforehand, what species of the vegetable kingdom 

 will there be found. The various alternations of moisture and dryness, 

 sun and shade, mountain and valley, have each their peculiar attendants. 



Briefly to characterize Cumberland County, it consists of a section 

 of the great Cumberland valley, 12 miles wide and about 40 long, bound- 

 ed on the north by the Kittatinny or North mountain, on the south by 

 the South mountain, and on the east by the Susquehanna river. The 

 South mountain is composed of the various primary rocks, gneiss, mica 

 slate, hornblende, chlorite, quartz and sandstone, the white fucoidal 

 sandstone of Prof. Rogers forming its northern ridges. Next come the 

 two great strata of limestone and slate, occupying nearly the whole 

 breadth of the valley. Tiie North mountain consists of red and white 

 sandstones, and shales. A narrow dyke of trap called stony ridge, cross- 

 es the valley, about five miles east of Carlisle. The Conedoguinet creek 

 forms the dividing line between the limestone and slate. Nearl)- paral- 

 lel to the Conedoguinet, and at a short distance from the South moun- 

 tain, runs the Yellow Breeches, The remaining streams which are of 

 insignificant size, are the Letart, and Big Spring. 



The fertility of the soil varies much in different parts of the County. 

 In the South mountain there is not a great deal of arable land. The 

 limestone soil, however, is capable of a very high state of cultivation, 

 particularly near the water courses. In some of the bottoms along the 



