FLORA OF THE MOUNTAIN. 237 



sions, and with smoother bark, but resembling the Ostrya in 

 foliage, inflorescence, and fruit. 



CRAT^EGUS. Several of the hawthorns grow on the moun- 

 tain. The shape of this hardy little scavenger family is 

 uniform, whatever may be its locality. On the mountain it 

 shows its usual noli-me-tangere roughness of thorns and 

 scraggy branches, bright, beautiful blossoms with pleasant 

 odors knotty, and blood-red fruit, etc. As they are not 

 used for hedges or anything else, they seem, like many other 

 objects, to exist for beauty and sweetness alone. The species 

 here are coccinea, tomentosa, crus-galli, and punctata. 



CORNUS. Species "Florida" of this genus is found on 

 the eastern slopes of the mountain, but not on the summits 

 or western sides in any quantity. Its flashing white flowers 

 are occasionally seen in the ravines, where the plant grows 

 with other trees. It exhibits its usual characters. 



The " Sericea" and "circinata" are also found there. 

 The " Canadensis," or "dwarf cornel," is found on the 

 parallel Appalachian ridges. 



CERCIS CANADENSIS, or Judas-tree, is found sparingly dis- 

 tributed, low on the slopes of the mountain. It is a small, 

 handsome tree, showing its usual characters. 



ARALIA SPINOSA is a low, rough little tree, called some- 

 times the "devil's club." It grows abundantly in a variety 

 of localities on different parts of the mountain. Its large, 

 prickly, pinnate leaves, and rugged spiniferous stem, has so 

 strange an expression as to attract much attention and 

 remark. 



ALNUS. Species " incctna," is a small tree, often twenty- 

 five feet high. It is found along the streams of the table- 

 lands. 



Leaving the small trees, and descending to the bushes 

 proper, we are presented with a large number of interesting 

 plants on the mountain. The most distinguished group of 

 this smaller class of plants which does not exhibit the tree 

 form, is the order ERICACEAE, or Heath Family. Some of 

 the genera of this order are deciduous plants, but of ex- 



