00 



precluded a thorough exploration of other remarkable species, 

 if any occurred. The average size of the magnolia shrubs, 

 seemed to be about six feet in height, and in some instances 

 they were quite broad or spread out ^YidelJ ; both their 

 dwarfed and bunched aspects, probably, owing to the frequent 

 mutilations to which they are subjected by those, who search 

 for their blossoms. A few fine opening buds and flowers were 

 found by our guide, who sought them with the keen and saga- 

 cious eye of one accustomed to notice and observe. The re- 

 porter of this account acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. F.; 

 and to Mr. Stephen Story, a neighbor of his, who accompanied 

 him still deeper into the swampy places and pointed out some 

 later specimens, varying from 12 to 15 feet high. Those 

 grew among Alniis serrulata Rhus venenata, Andromeda 

 paniculata, Nemopanthes Canadensis, Leucothoe racemosa, 

 Clethra alnifoUa, Vaccinium corynihosum and similar 

 common species, in miry and wet blackened mud. This 

 swamp was unexpectedly drier than usual and furnished excel- 

 lent opportunity for observation. Mr. F. accompanied by a 

 young lad (a pupil of his) penetrated into a more decidedly 

 wet and miry lot, a mile or more distant, and brought some 

 very fine blossoms and buds for the exhibition of the afternoon. 

 It is in the neighborhood of the former mentioned locality, 

 that the beautiful Parmelia hrunnea was, on this excursion, 

 detected by John L. Russell, a lichen before known to him 

 by specimens gathered by Oakes, whose habitat of the species 

 is attributed by him as " Manchester, Essex Co., Massachu- 

 setts." Mr. R. obtained abundance of rich specimens from the 

 sides of small, mossy stones, in shaded spots, and quite near the 

 road side. Rewarded by the twofold treasures of the Magno- 

 lia and the Parmelia^ the intense heat and parching thirst of 

 the high-noon hour were little regarded. With garments sat- 

 ured by perspiration and feet well begrimed with mud and 

 miry vegetable soil, the party returned to the village — in the 

 elevated and airy school rooms of which, joined by straggling 

 sections from time to time, abundance of refreshments for the 

 inner man, cool water and cooler breezes renovated each person, 

 preparatory for the afternoon session of the Institute, — which 



