Account of an Excursion to Mount Katahdin. 29 



the original soil and vegetation were swept away, so that the denu- 

 ded ledges of granite appeared in some places, while in others 

 they were covered with great quantities of a coarse gravel, evidently 

 produced by the crumbling of some of the coarse varieties of gran- 

 ite, much of which was seen in a state of partial disintegration. The 

 flank of the mountain on which the slide is situated is covered with a 

 low growth of white birch, {Betula popuHfoIia.) Some small bushes 

 of the same have sprung up in the path of the slide and in time will 

 probably cover it. 



At sunset we had ascended about one third of the height of the 

 mountain, when finding the ascent very tiresome, we determined to 

 encamp for the night. We selected for our camp a spot in the 

 birch woods on the western edge of the slide, near which was a 

 stream of excellent water. It was with much difficulty that we suc- 

 ceeded in making a small fire, our only fuel being the green trunks 

 of the birch, and a few fragments of dead wood found in the slide. 

 We felt very sensibly the want of the dry hemlock and cedar, which 

 had so well served us for fuel the preceding evening. After supper 

 we rolled ourselves up in our blankets, and with no canopy but the 

 heavens, prepared for repose, for which the fatigues of the day had 

 given us sufficient desire. The evening was clear, except a cloud 

 which rested on the highest summit. During the evening some 

 brilliant flashes of aurora borealis were seen. 



Saturday, Aug. 13. — Our disappointment was very great this 

 morning at finding ourselves surrounded by a drizzly mist, which 

 threatened rain, and completely prevented our enjoying any view of 

 the surrounding country. After waiting a while, in hopes of its 

 clearing away, we commenced our ascent, placing ourselves abreast 

 of each other that the stones which one might loosen should cause 

 no injuries to the rest of the party. The slide near our encamp- 

 ment was about forty yards wide, narrowing very slowly towards 

 the top. Soon after leaving our camp I discovered fragments of 

 compact limestone containing distinct impressions of Terebratulse. 

 These were found in the path of the slide, but a slight examination 

 convinced me that they were masses which had been deposited on 

 the mountain by diluvial action. Mr. Keely informs that rolled 

 masses of similar limestone have been found near Waterville College. 



From the steepness of the mountain, the slipping of the loose 

 stones and gravel, and the weight of our clothes drenched with the 

 rain, our progress was slow, and very fatiguing; we toiled on, how- 



