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sive transpiration, seldom so cool as to do harm. The rainfall 
is large, seemingly excessive in some of the mountains, but favor- 
able to the growth of the majority of plants, while those preferring 
drier situations are found on the more open and plain-like plateaus 
or on the southern slopes of many of the mountains. These latter 
remain peculiarly dry notwithstanding the large rainfall. 
In consequence of these agents, there exists, especially on the 
mountains, an extraordinarily prolific growth of plants. Not only 
are the smaller phanerogams, the ferns, the mosses and the lower 
cryptogams remarkably well developed, but the mountains and 
valleys are clothed with magnificent, in some instances almost 
primeval, forests. 
Local Geography. 
Towards the east and southeast, in fact just on the limits of 
the town of Marion, lie the foot-hills of the Blue Ridge. These 
consist of a chain of peculiar and striking * knobs" reaching an 
altitude of about 2,600 feet. Immediately behind them is the first 
ridge of the range, called Pond Mountain. The highest point at- 
tained there is 3,400 feet. East of the northern end of Pond 
Mountain, and more or less connected with it, is Brushy Moun- 
tain, whose altitude exceeds that of the former ridge by 200 feet. 
Beyond this the country is more open for a short distance, form- 
ing thus the Valley of the South Fork of the Holston River.* 
Rising abruptly from the valley is.the massive ridge of the 
Iron Mountains, with its many lofty spurs and out-lying peaks, 
Which ascend as high as 4,900 feet. The culmination of altitude 
is reached in the next short but stately elevation, for on either end 
of this ridge are situated two most conspicuous peaks, Mt. Rogers 
and White Top Mountain, the highest points in Virginia, the 
former 5,719 feet and the latter only 41 feet lower. After these 
summits are passed, the country gradually decreases in altitude 
until the narrow and cañon-like valley of the New River is 
reached. This stream has cut down its valley until,now it flows 
in that region at an elevation of about 2,000 feet. Beyond the 
river still eastward the land again rises rapidly, and an extensive 
* In this brief description the smaller valleys and ridges are not considered. 
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