14 Tennessef, Flora. 



tida (Uchotoma) , the common evening primrose {(Enothera bien- 

 nis), the mullein {Verbascum thapsus), the never-failing ragweed 

 (Ambrosia artemisiwfolia) , a few solidagos and asters {Aster eri- 

 coides and dumosus), constitute the larger herbs. In places the 

 ground is spread over by the prostrate low blackberry (Rubus trivi- 

 alis), or cinquefoil (Potentilla Canadensis), while the high black- 

 berry (Rubus villosus) replaces former fence rows. Cattle find an 

 InsuflRcient support from browsing on the Japan bush clover (Lespe- 

 deza striata), white and yellow clover (Trifolium repens and pro- 

 cumbens), and about two nutritious grasses, the crop grass (Pani- 

 cum digitaria), and a species of paspalum. The botanist finds but 

 ■few rarer species to compensate him for his exertions, and rejoices 

 to find himself at last in full sight of the mountains, in descending 

 the eastern slope of a ridge which borders the Ocoee River. This 

 broad mountain stream, swiftly gliding over his pebbly bed, is 

 skirted by a stately and diversified growth of timber — Herculean 

 sycamores and massive cottonwoods, immense lindens and pop- 

 lars, slippery and white elms, ashes, white walnut, and box elder 

 of stately growth. The water oak and willow oak (Quercus aquat- 

 ica and Quercus phellos), with elegant outline and glistening color 

 of foliage, are contrasted by the chalk-white trunks of the gray 

 birch (Betula lutea), with ever-tremulous foliage, on delicate 

 sprigs. Now and then a holly (Ilex opaca), silver-bell tree (Ha- 

 lesia tetraptera), and an umbrella tree (Magnolia umbrella) pre- 

 sent themselves as outliers from the upper regions. Crossing the 

 river, the romantic hamlet, Parksville, is soon reached, the gateway 

 to the great mountains, opening between two mighty pillars, the 

 Chilhowee Mountain to the left or north side, and the Eound Moun- 

 tain to the right or south side. Before reaching the milldam, the 

 last ledges of chert and dolomite are passed, andquarziteandsiliceo- 

 argillaceous conglomerates are the country rocks. Narrow but 

 rich bottoms, encompassed by high and steep mountain sides, the 

 latter heavily timbered, give room for small and scattered farms, 

 well cared for and successfully managed. 



MOUNTAIN fLORA. 



The lower mountain flora is spreading around on all sides, 

 clothed in deeper green or gaudier colorings. As we ascend the 

 river, which gushes with deafening roar from shoal to shoal, we 

 discern how every submerged rock is densely coated with a rough. 



