Alpine Blossoms of tHe Dome 207 



when the flower is in company with the true Round- 

 Leaved Orchis. This season I have instanced the fact 

 in another colony of these orchids, in Rattlesnake 

 Swamp. 



The flowers found on the summit of the Dome, three 

 thousand feet above sea level, are slightly modified in 

 size and coloring. They are fully two or three weeks 

 later in blooming than the same species flourishing in 

 the Hoosac Lowlands. 



On July 20th, with two other mountain climbers, I 

 started from the brow of Mount CEta, and at nine 

 o'clock descended to Rattlesnake Swamp and the 

 secret haunts of Showy Reginae. We crossed the 

 stream over the log bridge, and followed up the old Joe 

 Larabee path; passing around the southern ledge of the 

 Domelet to the Dummy Road watering-trough. The 

 path was densely overgrown with bushes, and impeded 

 with heaps of treetops. However, we finally came out 

 to the Exford Clearing and the White Oaks Road be- 

 yond. At the watering-trough, a road turns to the 

 right hand through Rocky Hollow, leading to the Coal- 

 Bed, or Chip-Bed, as it is known. We sauntered along 

 the shady path of the Hollow until we came to the 

 clearing, where loggers in winter haul and pile their 

 spruce and hemlock logs for later milling. From this 

 station, four roads branch in various directions. We 

 took the northeast path, and were soon climbing 

 steadily toward the clouds. On a previous occasion, 

 during March, I had ridden on a logger's sleigh to the 

 summit. The snow, then about four feet deep, covered 



