126 



ALPINE FLOWERS 



[PART I. 



which runs from the foot of Monte Eosa to the great road from 

 the Simplon, is unsurpassed for the beauty and variety of its 

 scenery. We started from the Hotel Monte Moro at half-past 

 three in the morning, when several of the highest peaks were 

 illumined by a ruddy light, and all the lower ones were in the 

 dull grey of daybreak. The Orange Lily in the meadows was not 

 growing higher than the grass, and in single plants, not tufts ; 

 the effect was not what we are accustomed to see in Lilies. But 

 by looking over a ledge now and then, those small alpine 

 meadows, apparently stolen from the vast wilderness, were 

 thinly studded with large fully-expanded Lily blooms, the 



Cascade in a high wood. 



flowers relieved by the fresh grass. Asplenium septentrionale 

 was extremely abundant. Of flowers we saw but few, for the 

 taller tree vegetation cuts off the view and runs up, and clothes 



