22 Account of an Excursion to Mount Katahdin. 
wamkeag Point to Holton, to which place a mail stage runs three 
times a week. Along the road we found fine specimens of Orchis 
blephariglottis, and near Matawamkeag Point passed over argillite 
well exposed. 
t “the Point” there is a tolerable tavern, where we left our 
horse and wagon, trunks, &c. and prepared for our march into the 
woods. As we had been informed that there was a settlement at 
-Grand Falls, about twenty three miles from the Point, where we 
would be able to procure blankets, provisions, boat and guides, we 
took with us only a few indispensable articles of dress, and a 
to preserve botanical specimens. ‘Thus lightly laden, we commen- 
ced the most arduous part of our journey. Crossing the Matawam- 
keag by the fine bridge built at the expense of the United States, 
and bidding farewell to civilization, we plunged into the woods by a 
blind path, (if path it might be called,) which was scarcely passable, 
although we were on foot, it was so obstructed by fallen trees, tan- 
gled roots, bushes and mud holes. At first it led us to the bank of 
the Penobscot ; along the left bank it then continues, generally ata 
short distance from the river. As we had no guides, we were often 
much at a loss what direction to take, as the true path is often crossed 
by “logging paths,” made during winter by the “ loggers,” for the 
purpose of hauling their lumber to the river. Whenever we lost 
our way, we made for the river, and proceeded awhile along its 
banks, until progress became too difficult, when we again turned 
into the woods, and generally succeeded in finding our path ata 
short distance from shore. 
The forest through which we passed consisted generally of a 
growth of white pine, Pinus strobus; hemlock, P. Canadensis ; 
larch, P. pendula, Ait.; spruce, P. nigra and P. alba; cedar or 
arbor vite, Thwa occidentalis; beach, Tagus ferruginea; &c. 
with an under growth of moose-wood, Acer striatum, and hobble- 
sh, Viburnum lantanoides. Among the herbaceous plants, we 
found fine specimens of Orchis orbiculata, Pursh, Orchis grandi- 
flora, Goodyera pubescens, Neottia cernua, Aralia hispida, A, ra- 
cemosa, Dalibarda repens, Monotropa uniflora, Pyrola secunda, 
and P. umbellata. 
Among the plants not in flower were great quantities of the fol- 
lowing, viz. Cornus Canadensis, (known in Maine by the expressive 
name of bunch berry, from its beautiful bunches of scarlet berries ; 
these berries are dry and insipid, but not unpleasant to eat;) the — 
rina 
