32 Account of an Excursion to Mount Katahdin. 
force making a passage through the bushes, and anon falling pros- 
trate, as some rotten branch gave way, to which we had trusted for 
support, we at last reached the “‘ burnt wood,” with much less cloth- 
ing upon us than when we began our journey. None of us, not 
even our guides, who were experienced woodsmen, were ever on so 
fatiguing a journey. Had we trusted entirely to our pocket com- 
pass, we might easily have returned to our boat by the same route 
by which we left it, but in the endeavor to avoid one swamp we got 
into a dozen, besides adding several miles to the length of our route. 
In the burnt wood we advanced with more ease, but before we 
reached the river we were again obliged to enter a difficult swamp. 
We finally struck the river a few rods above our boat, and were as 
much rejoiced to see it as was ever sea-sick traveller by beholding 
shore. The plants which I had an opportunity of noticing around 
the base of Katahdin during our hasty return, were the following, 
viz. Monotropa uniflora; Pyrola secunda; Pyrola umbellata ; 
Dalibarda repens ; Cornus Canadensis ; Epilobium spicatum ; 
Convallaria trifolia; Gaultheria hispidula; G. repens; Strepto- 
pus roseus; S. distortus ; Ledum latifolium; Kalmia angustifolia, 
and Sorbus Americana. This last is sometimes called Round wood, 
because the stem is so perfect a cylinder. 
On the shores of the Penobscot, near our landing place, I ob- 
served in the same abundance as at the lakes below, Ranunculus re- 
pens; Potentilla fruticosa; Campanula rotundifolia, and Spartina 
cynosuroides ; to the latter our boatmen gave the name of “ Blue 
Joints.” In the stream were great quantities of Lobelia Dortman- 
ni; Eriocaulon pellucidum, and Sparganium natans. 
This night we encamped at the head of the Debskoneegan Carry- 
ing Place, where we found a small camp made of hemlock bark, 
which required but little adjusting to render it very comfortable. We 
made a large fire to dry our clothes and blankets, and then lay down 
for the night. In the morning (Sunday) I found myself suffering 
from a violent cold in my throat, which however had no serious con- 
sequences. Making a hasty breakfast, we again set out, eager to 
reach the Grand Falls before night. Whenever we were in still 
water we used both paddles and oars, and thus made rapid progress. 
We were particularly struck, during this day’s journey, with the re- 
markable purity and transparency of the water, as well as the beauty 
and accuracy of the reflections from its surface. Every leaf and 
branch of the trees was distinguishable, and the rounded rocks, pro- 
