T^he Cumberland Mountains 



Discovered two ferns, Dicksonia and a small 

 matted polypod on trees, common farther 

 South. Also a species of magnolia with very 

 large leaves and scarlet conical fruit. Near this 

 stream I spent some joyous time in a grand 

 rock-dwelling full of mosses, birds, and flowers. 

 Most heavenly place I ever entered. The long 

 narrow valleys of the mountainside, all well 

 watered and nobly adorned with oaks, magno- 

 lias, laurels, azaleas, asters, ferns, Hypnum 

 mosses, Madotheca [Scale-mosses], etc. Also 

 towering clumps of beautiful hemlocks. The 

 hemlock, judging from the common species of 

 Canada, I regarded as the least noble of the 

 conifers. But those of the eastern valleys of the 

 Cumberland Mountains are as perfect in form 

 and regal in port as the pines themselves. The 

 latter abundant. Obtained fine glimpses from 

 open places as I descended to the great valley 

 between these mountains and the Unaka Moun- 

 tains on the state line. Forded the Clinch, a 

 beautiful clear stream, that knows many of the 

 dearest mountain retreats that ever heard the 

 [31 ] 



