22 Account of an Excursion to Mount Katahdin. 



wamkeag Point to Holton, to which place a mail stage runs three 

 times a week. Along the road we found fine specimens of Orchis 

 hJephariglottis, and near Matawamkeag Point passed over argillite 

 well exposed. 



At " the Point" there is a tolerable tavern, where we left our 

 horse and wagon, trunks, Sic. and prepared for our march into the 

 woods. As we had been informed that there was a settlement at 

 Grand Falls, about twenty three miles from the Point, where we 

 would be able to procure blankets, provisions, boat and guides, we 

 took with us only a few indispensable articles of dress, and a book 

 to preserve botanical specimens. Thus lightly laden, we commen- 

 ced the most arduous part of our journey. Crossing the Matawam- 

 keag by the fine bridge built at the expense of the United States, 

 and bidding farewell to civilization, we plunged into the woods by a 

 Talind path, (if path it might be called,) which was scarcely passable, 

 although we were on foot, it was so obstructed by fallen trees, tan- 

 gled roots, bushes and mud holes. At first it led us to the bank of 

 the Penobscot ; along the left bank it then continues, generally at a 

 short distance from the river. As we had no guides, we were often 

 -much at a loss what direction to take, as the true path is often crossed 

 hy "logging paths," made during winter by the "loggers," for the 

 purpose of hauling their lumber to the river. Whenever we lost 

 our way, we made for the river, and proceeded awhile along its 

 banks, until progress became too difficult, when we again turned 

 into the woods, and generally succeeded in finding our path at a 

 short distance from shore. 



The forest through which we passed consisted generally of a 

 growth of white pine, Finns strobus ; hemlock, P. Canadensis; 

 larch, P. pendula, Ait.; spruce, P. nigra and F. alba; cedar or 

 arbor vitae. Thuja occidentalis ; beach, Tagus ferruginea ; See. 

 with an under growth of moose-wood, Acer striatum, and hobble- 

 tush. Viburnum Jantanoides. Among the herbaceous plants, we 

 found fine specimens of Orchis orhiculata, Pursh, Orchis grandi- 

 Jlora, Goodyera pubescens, Neottia cernua, Aralia hispida, A. ra- 

 cemosa, Dalibarda repens, Monotropa unijiora, Fyrola secunda, 

 and F. umbellata. 



Among the plants not in flower were great quantities of the fol- 

 lowing, viz. Cornus Canadensis, (known in Maine by the expressive 

 name of bunch berry, from its beautiful bunches of scarlet berries; 

 these berries are dry and insipid, but not unpleasant to eat ;) the 



