MARYLAND WEATHER SERVICE 241 



pasture lands. Muscari botryoides occurs sparingly, and such other 

 vernal herbs as Bicuculla cucullaria, Chelidonium inajus, Asarwm 

 canadense, and Erythronium americanum are scattered in the woods. 



THE BLUE RIDGE AXIS. 



Forming' the western boundary of the Middletown Valley, the 

 Blue Ridge extends from Wevertou to the Pennsylvania line near 

 Pen Mar. This, forms a larger and more rugged elevation at Wever- 

 ton where the Potomac has cut across it than does the Catoctin 

 ridge at Point of Rocks. 



At Weverton a small stream, Israel Creek, flows into the Potomac, 

 and in the deep shade of the bluffs along the lower part of its course 

 some species not previously noted were found. Near the river at 

 the side of the railroad is a high ledge of rock, upon which some 

 plants were found which were not seen elsewhere. These include 

 the following: Asplenium pinnatifidum, Asplenium plalyneuron, 

 Eupatorium altissimum, Asplenium tricliomanes, Polymnia cana- 

 densis, I'lm us fulva, together with rank-growing weeds which occupy 

 the talus from the, shale and sandstone cliffs. The Yellow Locust, 

 the Chestnut Oak and the Sugar Maple are the principal el ill' 

 talus trees, with the Red Bud as under-shrub. Jmpalicns biflora, 

 and Arisaema triphyllum are present among the more succulent her- 

 baceous growth. 



Along the cliff-like banks of the stream, there are a few spots of 

 deep soil deposited by the water in sheltered places. In these many 

 of the trees are located, and some of the ranker of the herbaceous 

 types. Thus the Black Gum, Buttonwood and Box Elder arc 

 associated with the shrubs Benzoin benzoin, HamameJis virginiana 

 and Viburnum acerifolium. In the broader places where the stream 

 runs somewhat parallel to the direction of the shale in which it 

 is now flowing, there is a small floodplain developed, on which 

 there is a fine stand of trees, mainly of the same species as already 

 mentioned. But in addition to these, the chief components of the 

 woods, tthere are a few individuals of the Hemlock, the Sweet Birch, 

 the White Ash, the Butternut, the River Birch, the Black, Chest- 

 nut and White Oaks, and the Tulip Tree is also present in well 

 developed trees. 



