172 Mount Lafayetie—Irised Shadows. 
arranged in folios, according to the Linnzan classification, 
with labels containing the name of the plant, synonyms, habitat, 
time of flowering, &c. The Editor of this Journal can di- 
rect to sources of further information, if desired. 
XVII. Notice of an ascent up Mount Lafayette, and of 
irised shadows ; in a letter to the Editor, dated New-Ha- 
ven, November 30, 1826.—On the 7th of August, accom- 
panied by my friend, Mr. Sparhawk, of Dartmouth Col- 
lege, and a guide, I set out for the summit of Lafayette. ‘The 
peak thus designated, is about 15 miles distant from Mount 
Washington, and falls very little below it in altitude, or in 
the magnificence of effect—emerging as it does with a bold 
outline from the plains of Franconia. The ascent was rug- 
ged, and occupied us several hours. At 11 o’clock A. M. 
we gained the summit. On our arrival, our view was for 
some time interrupted by passing clouds, most of which swept 
along below our fect,—lingering for a moment as they touch- 
ed the mountains, and then passing on to mingle with the 
immense sea of vapour, which extended in every direction to 
the horizon. This wide abyss of clouds occasionally open- 
ed for a moment, and gave us a view of the plains below, or 
sometimes fell beneath a neighboring peak, which emerged 
from the expanse, like an island in the ocean. | These sublime 
appearances continued to interest us until 4 or 5 o’clock, 
when these light clouds entirely disappeared, and were suc- 
ceeded by heavy and black thunder clouds, whose approach 
from the 5. W. was announced by peals of thunder, which 
were reiterated with torrents of rain falling below us, unti 
the world beneath was veiled from our view, and nothing was 
visible save the dark expanse of the heavens. - 
A slight mist now began to fall around us, and suddenly 
the sun burst throuch the clouds ; when, what was our as~ 
tonishment and delight, on beholding our shadows reposing 
upon the bosom of the cloud, having around each of their 
heads an entire rainbow ! 
The circles formed by the rainbows appeared to be eight 
er ten feet in diameter—were pe euy defined, and glowed 
