MosKolu and Lcwerre 161 



sides ; and the hollows and crevices of rocks were filled 

 with blade-like leaves, resembling Sweet Flag (Acorus 

 Calaimis). The}^ proved, however, to be the leaves of 

 the Blackberry Lilj' {Gemmingia Chinensis). This 

 lily creeps from southern New York to Georgia. The 

 seeds resemble blackberries. The plant produces 

 several large blossoms in a terminal bracted cluster, 

 of an orange color mottled with purple. This species 

 was formerly known as Pardanthus, meaning a lycop- 

 ard-Flower. The roots are of a golden color. 



Returning from the Point of Rocks above Deer 

 Park, I passed along lanes bordered with cedars and 

 junipers, while violets, rosy-pinks and tufts of maiden- 

 hair spleenwort clung to the ledges. On leaving the 

 swamp below, I found a drowsy diamond snake in a 

 stupor, from having recently swallowed a bird or frog. 

 The diamond-shaped checks upon his skin betrayed 

 his species. He is considered venomous, therefore I 

 remained a safe distance from him. 



On May i8th I again visited the Point of Rocks and 

 McLean's Woods, searching for Orchis spedabilis and 

 for Cypripedium parviflorum . Leaving the car at Bed- 

 ford Park, we struck westward, coming out near Poe 

 Park, where still stands that quaint white cottage in 

 which Poe wrote The Raven. We bore around the 

 slopes, northward beyond the Racing Park, and entered 

 a country lane, soon turning again to the left into the 

 forest, where stood great pools of water. Along the 

 sluggish stream grew many rare species of fern. Finally 

 we entered Jerome Avenue, leading toward Yonkers. 



