128 THE MOUNTAIN. 



for a considerable time, one or two species of fern 

 spring up in profusion; nay, sometimes even the 

 interstices between the bricks in the wall are 

 fringed with them; while, of all the other kinds 

 cultivated, not a single young plant is to be seen. 

 In both these cases it is evident, that, however 

 many sorts of seeds were deposited, those only 

 germinated, to the growth of which the situation 

 was peculiarly adapted. Had it been different in 

 either case, in all probability some other kind 

 would have appeared. 



Springing from the clefts of rocks, we found a 

 plant with bluish-green foliage and yellow flow- 

 ers, resembling in its habit some of the large kinds 

 of Stone-crop. This was the Rose-root,* so called 

 from the peculiar odour which the fresh root 

 emits, resembling that of the flower after which it 

 is called. The resemblance is certainly striking, 

 but approaches nearer to the smell of rose-water 

 than of the fresh flower. 



In similar situations, but generally in the vi- 

 cinity of water, we found the Mountain-sorrel')" 

 in great abundance. Its leaves are nearly circular, 

 large and thick ; and, being plentifully furnished 

 with an agreeable acid juice, we gathered a con- 

 siderable quantity as a substitute for salad, which 

 we added to our repast when we reached the sum- 

 mit of the mountain. 



While we were exploring a cavity under a pile 

 of rocks, my companion exclaimed that he heard 

 the bark (as it is called) of an eagle. I had heard 

 the noise to which he alluded, but it sounded to my 

 inexperienced ear like the croak of a raven. The 



* Rhodiola rosea. t Oxyria remformis. 



