Notice of the White Mountains. 173 
New-Hampshire. Local names are given to different 
sections. ‘Uhe most interesting pass of this chain is by 
the Portland and Lancaster road. After travelling a con- 
siderable distance ina pine clad region, wild ranges of 
mountains are disclosed to the west, rising in amphitheatric 
order, crowned by numerous lofty peaks, and above all 
Mount Washington towers majestically, itssammit being 
often enveloped by white fleecy clouds. 
At the eastern base of these mountains, a wide and rich 
alluvial valley is observed, in which a considerable lake, 
and the pleasaut village of Fryburgh are situated. For 
several miles the road winds through an extensive fertile 
plain, watered by the serpentine Saco. The course of this 
stream is marked by elms, many of them of uncommon 
altitude and beauty. Striking views are often_pr«sented 
of the White and Franconia Mountains. “The valley grad- 
ually became more narrow as it penetrated the mountains, 
and was in dense shade, while the retiring sun illuminated 
the summits, and tinged the clouds resting on them with 
purple and gold. For thirty miles, the road winds among 
ihe mountains in a ravine which is in general narrow, 
rocky, and wood clad, but expands in a few places into 
rich flats under cultivation, and like the Alpine vales of 
Switzerland, environed by towering mountains. 
The elevations bordering on the valley are in general 
clothed with trees of varied verdure, evergreens predomi- 
nating near the summits, and in the cold shaded ravines. 
The prominent parts of the mountain’s side are usually 
occupied by hard wood, principally birch—succeeding for- 
ests, overthrown by gales, and consumed by fires. Damp 
evergreen sheltered groves are unaffected by these sources 
of destruction. 
Conspicuous beds and ledges of granite, gneiss, and 
sienite, extensively ae the surface of mountains, 
recently swept by fire. Large boulders of sienite, de- 
tached from the summit ledges, rest in the valley. The 
road rises almost imperceptibly, accompanied by the Saco. 
Wrecks from the mineral and vegetable world. spread on 
its banks, evince the power of this stream in its spring 
floods—now shorn of its foam, it feebly murmured by, pre- 
senting few rapids, and no fails of consequence. 
