104 ALPINE FLOWERS AND GARDENS 



Rhododendrons do but serve as admirable, enhanc- 

 ing contrasts. See how, below us on the slopes, 

 the mountain Cherry-trees are afire with brilliant 

 crimson-lake and cadmium ; look over at the wine- 

 red haze of Bilberry which pervades yonder expanse 

 of Rhododendron ; or at the flame-like patches of 

 Geranium and other plants on yonder scree ; mark, 

 too, in these steep and stony places, the flaring pro- 

 fusion of Berberis, veritable ' burning bushes,' with 

 their orange foliage and cascades of scarlet fruit; 

 notice how the golden Larch sparkles amid ' the 

 dark and secret pine,' and how, upon every rock 

 and boulder, the plants, mosses, ferns, and lichens 

 are aglow with rich yellows, reds, and browns. 

 Yes, Autumn in the Alps can vie with Autumn 

 elsewhere, and can ring out as gladsome a note 

 as any note in Spring. 



Nor by any ineans is the season lacking in 

 charming flowers. On rough, shady slopes the 

 graceful Willow Gentian {Gentiana asclepiadea)^ 

 with its long sprays of pointed leaves and rich blue 

 flowers (sometimes pure white),, is the equal of 

 anything to be found earlier in the year ; as is that 

 other autumnal Gentian, G. ciliata, the Bearded 

 Gentian, its Uvely, sun-loving flowers brightening 

 the shaly banks by the side of the paths and roads. 



