Mountain and Forest Rambles. 195 



soms might imagine that it was a small maple bush. Its flat 

 heads of snowy blossoms are very delicate and attractive. 

 It is the Fiburnum acerifolium, {Maple-leaved Arrow wood.) 



Once on a June day, at Staten Island, I saw a tall shrub 

 growing by the wayside, not unlike a pear in foliage, and 

 covered on the top and sides with small clusters of white 

 blossoms, which I ascertained to be the Black Haw, or Sloe- 

 leaved Viburnum, ( F. prunifolium. ) 



There are several viburnums, beside, which grow about 

 Boston, in the woods and field sides, all pretty, either in 

 bloom or in berry, and a collection of viburnums would in 

 itself be attractive. 



A pretty, neat, trim, compact and dwarfish bush, looking, 

 for all the world, as if actually pruned into its demure con- 

 tour, may be found as you proceed northward. Early in the 

 spring it begins to push out its leaves, and, at the same time, 

 its flowers, three in a cluster, from a dark brown hairy bud, 

 from whence there succeeds a short branch. These flowers 

 are somewhat like little bells, are of a pale yellowish color, 

 and are \'ery attractive. You essay to break one of the 

 twigs, but you find it no easy task ; and so you twist off all 

 the bark and flowers too, in the attempt ; and wonder how it 

 could be so tough when it seems so fragile. After the leaves 

 expand they will have an ovalish outline, and some reddish 

 plums {drupes) will succeed. You have found the graceful 

 and curt Dirca palustris ; it is worthy your further acquaint- 

 ance ; for I can assure you that it will look well on your 

 smooth grassy lawn. There is a high rise of land some 

 seven or more miles from Brattleborough, Vermont, which 

 overlooks all the surrounding hills, and from whence you can 

 see MoNADNOG in grand fullness, and Ascutney in misty sig- 

 nificance. This height delights in the name of Wicopy Hill. 

 From this Indian name, as I conjectured it to be, I connected 

 a favorite habitat of the Dirca palustris ; but on visiting the 

 spot, found no vestige that it ever existed there. Nearer the 

 village, in the sheltered and warm nooks near the Whetstone 

 Brook, it may be found abundantly, and doubtless elsewhere, 

 in similar situations, without much trouble of search. A 



