202 Mountain and Forest Rambles. 



the forest extent and solitude. Here the soil changed, and 

 coarse gravel and decaying granitic masses protruded. Now 

 came the Biatoras and Lecideas on the dead bark of the 

 standing trees. Now was every twig garlanded with Par- 

 melia physodes, var. enteromorpha, and with Evernia fur- 

 furacea, var. Cladonia. Here Avere three or four species 

 growing together on a small stick, and with Parmelia phy- 

 sodes, occurred Cetraria Oakes«dwa, pinastri and sepincola. 

 Now occurred the tall Solidago thyrsoidea gleaming like a 

 wand of gold. The vigor of this mixed growth was great, 

 and the adaptation of the soils to each kind was noticeable. 

 Our hours passed away fast and onward, and muscular exer- 

 tion produced profuse perspiration and exhaustion. Turning 

 aside for a few steps our guide brought us to little moist 

 spots filled with sphagnum. Removing the spongy moss, a 

 scanty supply of tepid water was obtained. Never was liquid 

 more grateful or palatable, and a few drops relieved a thirst 

 which was producing unpleasant consequences. Carex ir- 

 rigua grew in these spots, a charming sedge, with pendulous 

 green and brown spikelets. Near by was Carex pauciflora, a 

 singular species, and the strange but delicate Listera cordata. 

 We were now ascending the nose, and emerging from the 

 thicker growth could get views of the surrounding country. 

 Intent on standing on higher ground we pressed forward. 

 At eleven A. M. we had surmounted the nose. The scenery 

 was now to be enjoyed. Yet it was beautiful rather than 

 grand. Stretched out into a narrow ribbon, lay Lake Cham- 

 plain with its numerous islands ; and beyond, the mist hung 

 over the summits of the mountains of New York. Inter- 

 vening were green and bosky tracts ; below, the spurs and 

 ridges of the monarch hill on which we stood, furrowed here 

 and there by mad torrents, whose rushing waters had swept 

 into desolation all that impeded their course. We could 

 distinguish some three or four towns, whose limits bounded 

 on the mountain. The clouds came rolling over us, covering 

 us in mist. These sweeping by, the sun would suddenly 

 strike some distant summit or light up some bright green 

 space afar off. The beauty of scenery and the solitude 



