42 Some Accovrlt of the White Mountains 



lenta, litlea f^ papiirnrea). The luulorgrowth was compOBcd 

 principaily of tlie Fiiunmm lan/ano!(Je<, the ylcer montamim 

 and itriulinn, and Sorhis Americana. Under our feet was the 

 Oxulis y1ceto\cU'j Ijeyoiid every other species of plant, Draceva 

 lorealis, Coring Cani,densis, Ganltfieria hisp'idula, &c. 



Where the common forest trees terminate, the second zone 

 of the mountain immediately commences, the Hne betweeen them 

 being very distinctly drawn. This region consists of a belt of 

 the black spruce and silver fir, rising to tiie height of seven or 

 eight feet, and putting out long, firm, horizontal, or depending 

 branches^ so that each tree covers a considerable extent of ground. 

 This mode of growth may be ascribed to two causes : 1 . The 

 great length of time that the snow rests u]Jon them, weighing 

 down their brandies, and confining them in an horizontal di- 

 rection. 2. The extreme cold which probably prevails here in 

 winter, and wliich i3 destructive to all vegetation that is not 

 secured by being Inn ied under the buow. Upon the ground un- 

 der these evergreen trees there were but few other vegetables. 

 The only plants which I recollect in flower were the Houstotiia 

 ccervlea uncouimonly large, and Corirus Canadensis. 



Above tlia zone of firs, which terminates as abruptly as it be- 

 gan, is a third or bald region wholly destitute of any growth of 

 wood. The predominance of rocks on this portion leaves but 

 a scanty surface covered with soil capable of giving root to ve- 

 getation ; yet to the botanist this is by far the most interesting 

 part of the mountain. Many of the plants of this region are 

 rare, and not to be found in the region below. Thev are for 

 the most part natives of cold climates and situations, such as are 

 found in high latitudes or at great elevations. Among them 

 are natives of Si!)eria, of Lapland, of Greenland and Labrador. 

 Vegetables of this race, usually known by the name of Alpire 

 plants, have always been found diilicult of cultivation. They 

 are imi)Htient of drought, and of both the extremes of heat and 

 cold. During the severity of tlie winter, in their native situa- 

 tions thev are preserved from injury by the great depth of snow 

 under which they are covered, which secures them from the in- 

 clemency of the air, while thev partake the tem])erature of the 

 cartli below them. When tiie snow leaves them, which fre- 

 (luentlv does not 1 appen till the middle of summer, they instantly 

 shoot up with a vigour jjrojjortionate to the length of time they 

 have been dormant; rapidly unfold their flowers, and mature 

 their fruits; and having run through the whole course of their 

 vegetation in a few weeks, are again ready to be entombed for 

 the rest of the year under their accustomed covering oi snow. 

 These plants, notwithstanding the high and barren elevations 

 at which they frequently grow^ do not suffer for want of moisture, 



being 



