26 Botanical Excursion to the Moimtains of North Carolina. 



uations we found an arborescent tetramerous species of Prinos, 

 (in fruit only,) with large and membranaceous ovate leaves. 

 The same species has been collected on the Pokono Mountains 

 in Pennsylvania, by Mr, Wolle, and on the Cattskills by Mr. S. 

 T. Carey. We should deem it the P. Icevigatiis of Pursh, (not 

 of Torr., Fl. Northern States^) on account of the solitary and 

 subsessile fertile flowers, as well as the habitat, were not the 

 flowers of that species said to be hexamerous. 



In damp, very shady places high up the Negro Mountain, we 

 saw an Aconitum not yet in flower ; and on moist rocks near the 

 summit, obtained a few fruiting specimens of a Saxifraga which 

 was entirely new to us. In a single, very secluded spot on the 

 north side of this mountain, not far from the summit, the rocks 

 were covered with a beautiful small Fern, which proves to be 

 the Asplenimn Adiantum-nigrum of Michaux, the A. monta- 

 mim, Willd., an extremely rare plant. It is certainly distinct 

 from the A. Adiantu7n-7iigrum ; being not only a much smaller 

 and more delicate species, (two to four inches high,) but the 

 fronds are narrower, the pinnge ovate and much shorter, 3~5* 

 parted, with the pinnulae toothed or incised at the apex. 



The Veratruni parviflorum, Michx., is of frequent occurrence 

 throughout this region, but was not yet fully in flower, so that 

 our specimens were not collected until near the end of July. 

 The plant is excellently described in the Flora of Michaux, 

 where it is probably with justice referred to Veratrum rather 

 than to Melanthium ; since the divisions of the perianth (yel- 

 lowish-green from the first,) are wholly destitute of glands, and 

 only diff"er from Verati^um in being stellate, and tapering at the 

 base. I may here remark that the name Blelanthiiwi must un- 



the color of the finest red-lead, orange, and bright gold, as well as yellow and 

 cream-color. These various splendid colors are not only in separate plants, but 

 frequently all the varieties and shades are seen in separate branches on the same 

 plant ; and the clusters of the blossoms cover the shrubs in such incredible pro- 

 fusion on the hill-sides, that suddenly opening to view from dark shades, we are 

 alarmed with the apprehension of the woods being set on fire. This is certainly 

 the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known ; they grow in little copses 

 or clumps, in open forests as well as dark groves, with other shrubs, and about 

 the bases of hills, especially where brooks and rivulets wind about them ; the 

 bushes seldom rise above six or seven feet in height, and generally but three, four, 

 or five, but branch and spread their tops greatly ; the young leaves are but very 

 small whilst the shrubs are in bloom, from which circumstance the plant exhibits 

 a greater show oi &^U\\Ao\:'— Bartravi s Travels, p. 323. 



