25S THE PLANT LIFE OF MARYLAND 



better adapted to agriculture, the forest in general being cleared away 

 in proportion to the gain in levelness of the country. 



A considerable stream enters the Potomac from the north two miles 

 east of Hancock, the Big Tonoloway, and this has cut a rugged valley 

 through the shale, the sides of which are clothed with a good forest 

 of the deep soil type: Hemlock, Beech, River Birch, Scrub Pine, 

 White Pine, Tulip Tree, Chestnut Oak, Sugar Maple, the Arrow- 

 woods, (Viburnum dentahirn, Viburnum prunifolium, and Vi- 

 burnum acerifolium;) with Hamamelis virginiana, Alnus rugosa, 

 Hydrangea arborescens and Kalmia latifolia as the smaller forms. 



The first station seen in the Upper Midland for Rhododendron 

 maximum is on the bank of this stream, upon an exposed bluff and 

 associated with Sedum ternatum. In the bed of the stream there is 

 the characteristic growth of Dianthera which has been found along 

 the Potomac at other stations. 



Of the herbaceous vegetation, there is nothing of note as peculiar 

 to the area at hand, the lists already given covering the forms seen. 

 Along the roads, especially the luain turnpike, Hypericum prolificum 

 is abiindant in mid-summer; and in the fields, Echium vulgare is 

 perhaps the worst of the common weeds. 



Rhus aromatica which was found in the Elk Ridge region, is oc- 

 casional here, with Rhus glabra, and Rhus copall'ma, as well as Rhus 

 radicans common on the fences and edges of woods. The Elm is 

 rather frequent in the low grounds, especially near the river, and 

 the Box Elder occurs as before along the river bank, with the addi- 

 tional associate here of the Bladder-nut. 



Round Top. — An extensive outcrop of limestone is found to the 

 southwest of Hancock, at Pound Top, and here there is a consid- 

 erable change in the lists of plants observed. The river slope of the 

 hill is steep, and well covered with forest, the land side is not so 

 steep, and the trees have been culled more thoroughly. The forest 

 on the river side of Pound Top, consists of the following species: 



Acer saccharum 

 Que re us prinus 

 Quercus coccinea 

 Juglans cinerea 

 Cornus florida 



