196 Bog-Trotting for Orchids 



found on Gregor Rocks are known as Campanula 

 rotundifolia, signifying round-leaved bells. The original 

 Bluebells of Europe were known in 1578 as Campanula 

 coerulea, from whence the common name originated. 

 That of the " Bluebells of New England" originated 

 with Thomas Bailey Aldrich, in his poem on these 

 flowers.' 



Between the 15th and 19th of July I made journeys 

 over the nearer hills. I visited Oak Hill above White 

 Oaks Valley, where I found the bluebells abundant 

 along the roadside walls, even growing in the dooryard 

 fences of the dwellers thereabout. I had never visited 

 this hill before, and was charmed with its "glen-like 

 seclusion." It was known as " Nigger Hill" before 

 White Oaks Chapel was built in the vale below, because 

 of the colored population of this place. It is situated 

 in the shadow of the Dome and Mount Hazen, sur- 

 rounded on the northern and eastern sides by wild, 

 primeval forests. The broad, sloping meadows were 

 among the first to be cleared in this region, and wear 

 the scars that follow in the trail of the woodman. In 

 the time of the Rebellion, many slaves sought the se- 

 clusion of this valley, and built their shanties snuglj- by 

 the brooks. Until quite recently, the roads of the Hol- 

 low and the streets of Williamstown were frequented 

 by one of these ancient slaves, known as "Old Abe-the- 

 Bunter, ' ' who used to sell huckleberries and arbutus, 

 and who sawed wood for the students at Williams. 

 His real name was Abraham Parsons. The title 

 ^ T. B. Aldrich, Bluebells of New England. 



