152 Bog-Trotting for Orchids 



As I passed through the glen to-day, I found many- 

 large and small specimens of this fungus, whose growth 

 demands a humid atmosphere. The fact that decay 

 does not take place rapidly save in a damp, warm wood, 

 naturally proves that Polypores require such shades as 

 these in which to develop. 



Tall brakes rose luxuriantly four feet high or more. 

 The atmosphere was heavy, and the sphagnum was 

 steaming wherever the sunshine poured through the 

 leaves upon it. A certain fragrance of the earth rose 

 up from the swamp and met me everywhere, — a min- 

 gled perfume as of violets and Cypripediums. I ex- 

 plored about the pools to the left, finding many flowers 

 in bloom. 



Upon a miniature island in the centre of the pool 

 grew the tall spikes of the Queen Moccasin-Flower, in 

 bud. Turning to the south, under the hill among the 

 rocks, is the fountain of the glen, which freshens 

 the heart of the flowers beyond. Surely these are the 

 haunts of thrushes, as well as the home of the queen 

 of the orchids. The Golden Moccasin-Flowers peeped 

 out from beneath the shades of ferns, and sprinkled the 

 mellow glooms with jewels, like footsteps of sunshine 

 left by the wood-nymphs of old. 



The footprints of the woodman and the clips from 

 his axe are yet unknown in this Glen of Comus. This 

 is the sanctuarj^ of the gods of old, and these the altars 

 beneath the roofless temples, where man may worship 

 still the deities of Nature. The wood-thrush's song 

 rings through these cathedral aisles : 



