THE MOUNTAIN. 



or two other species of Grass are liable to the same 

 alteration in the mode of propagation; and a 

 somewhat similar phenomenon is occasionally observ- 

 able in the plains. Grains of Wheat and Barley, 

 for instance, when suffered to stand in the field 

 during a rainy autumn, frequently sprout while 

 they remain attached to the stem ; but in this case 

 the seed is matured before it germinates ; whereas, 

 in the other, the young plants are produced on the 

 parent plant without the intervention of seeds. 



As we ascended, some new variety in the scenery 

 was continually presenting itself. Now the moun- 

 tains on the opposite side of the lake under- 

 went a change in their appearance, arising, either 

 from our viewing them in a new aspect, or from 

 some alteration of light and shadow. Now the 

 lake itself was the prominent feature in the pic- 

 ture, and appeared to be nearer, in proportion as 

 we mounted higher then we were high enough 

 to discover many more islands, which had been 

 before hidden from our sight by others between 

 us and them then some bold rugged rock sloped 

 down by our side, and intercepting half the pro- 

 spect, made the rest seem ten times more lovely. 

 A bed of beautiful Alpine flowers would then 

 engage our attention. These afforded me grati- 

 fication, not only because they were beautiful, but 

 also on account of their novelty. I had to exa- 

 mine in what respects they differed generally from 

 those with which I had been familiarly acquainted 

 on the plains, as well as to observe and note the 

 peculiarities of each. One of the most striking 

 was the Alpine Catchfly.* It grew in matted beds 

 thickly studded with large pink or rose-coloured 



* Silene alpina. 



