ROCKS. 27 



with it, and in moist situations the green, delicate hair- 

 moss, the same that covers the roofs of very old buildings. 

 The rain has washed down from the summit constant de- 

 posits from trees and shrubs, birds and quadrupeds, and 

 formed a superficies of good soil on all parts of the rock 

 where it could be retained. On the almost bare surface 

 grows the beautiful feather-grass, supported only by the 

 soil that has accumulated about its roots. 



The mountain-laurel luxuriates upon these natural ter- 

 races, by which we descend to the meadow at the base 

 of the rock. But this evergreen, with its magnificent 

 clusters of flowers, is not the most attractive object, for 

 the little springs that issue from the crevices of the rock 

 have brought out a variety of ferns and lycopodiums that 

 cover its sides with their green fronds, like the tiles on the 

 roof of a house. Some oaks and beeches project fantasti- 

 cally from the sides of the cliff, which is covered with in- 

 numerable vines. Beside the beautiful things that cluster 

 at our feet, and the little winged inhabitants native to 

 the situation, made attractive by their various forms, 

 colors, and motions, this rock gives additional extent to 

 the prospect of the surrounding country, and affords 

 many different views from the various openings through 

 its wood and shrubbery. 



Such are the beauties and advantages multiplied about 

 a mere rock. But in my description I have omitted to 

 notice the grotto formed by the shelving of rocks, so de- 

 lightful to the traveller who seeks shelter from the sultry 

 heat of noon, or to one who only wishes to gratify a 

 poetic sentiment. Bocky scenery cannot fail to suggest 

 to the mind the various scenes and incidents of romantic 

 adventure ; and I believe the difficulties and dangers it 

 presents to the traveller magnify the interest attending 

 it. I have often seen a whole party eager to obtain pos- 

 session of a flower that was pTowinq- out of the ed^e of a 



