On the Foris around Boston. Sas 
should pay little attention to the flowers, yet the higher 
order of plants cannot fail to attract your notice. The 
whole of the hills except the interior of the Forts, is cov- 
ered with a profusion of shrubs among which are the Rosa 
eglanteria or sweet briar with its red fruit, and the Ligus- 
trum with its black and shining seeds; the Celastrus scan- 
dens which informs the European that he is at a great dis- 
tance from his native plains, and the Berberis which ind- 
ces him to believe that he is at home. The Juniperus vir- 
giniana has taken quiet possession of a great portion of the 
ground, and let us hope it may never be molested in its 
dominion. A few oaks and the Piatanus occidentalis adorn 
the higher fort. Let the botanist in the spring visit this 
spot, and while gathering the flowers, offer up a wish, that 
the ramparts which protect them may never be disturbed. 
16. The Roxbury lines, about three quarters of a mile 
in advance of the forts, and two hundred yards north of the 
town, are still to be seen on the eastern side of the penin- 
sula, and may be distinguished by any person going by the 
nearest road to Dorchester, over Lamb’s Dam. 
17. Atthis period it may be proper to mention the Brit- 
‘ish fortifications. The lines situated upon the Neck are 
almost as perfect at the present day as when first erected, 
with the exception of that part destroyed by the road. 
They may be seen to great advantage on the western side 
of the isthmus, about a quarter of a mile south of the 
Green Stores. There appear to have been two lines of 
entrenchments carried quite across the peninsula, and the 
fosse, which was filled at high water, converted Boston 
into an island. The mounds, ramparts, and wide ditches 
which remain, attest the strength of the original works. 
‘The small battery on the common, erected by the British, 
may perhaps remain for a long period of years, as a me- 
-morial of ancient times. 
18. The Dorchester Lines. Of these, some very slight 
traces may be distinguished. 
Vou. VII. No.2 44 
