16 Tennessee Flora. 



which lead up to the ridgelike summit. An untouched virgin 

 forest covers these slopes — principally splendid white pines, mixed 

 with some yelloW pine, and in low and sandy spots also scrub pine. . 

 In very moist places, immediately at the foot of ridges or vertical 

 precipices, where deep beds of mold accumulate, the hemlock 

 spruce {Abies Canadensis) reaches 160 feet, and probably over, and 

 a diameter of six feet. Prostrate and decaying trunks are com- 

 pletely wrapped up in mosses, liverworts, and lichens, for which this 

 region is a selected, homestead. Embedded in the soft pillows of 

 moss, some delicate, shade-loving plants enjoy a well-protected and 

 concealed existence — the mountain bluets (Honstonia serpylli- 

 folia), the frail and subtle Circaea alpina, the Canada and downy 

 yellow violet {Viola Canadensis and Viola, pub escens) , and the span- 

 high Mitella diphylla, or miter wort, with a spike of white flowers, 

 followed by miter-shaped seed capsules. The wood sorrel {Oxalis 

 Acetosella), and the low-creeping partridge berry nestle close and 

 snug in cushions of sphagnum, hypnum, and climacium. Above 

 Mundic Bluff a granitoid, heavy, bedded rock sets in. It is of gray- 

 ish color, hard, and but little prone to weathering ( Orauwahe) . A 

 thin crust of soil which has formed upon it supports a grayish- 

 green club moss {Selaginella tortipila), a low and diffusely- 

 branched willow grass {Draba ramosissima) , the shrubby St. 

 John'swort {Hyperieum BucMeyi). Where the debris has accu- 

 mulated, and water trickles down from the overhanging cliffs, there 

 nod the golden panicles of the Lysimachia Fraseri, and the "climb- 

 ing shrub Decumaria barbara drapes the walls. 



THE BIG PEOG MOUNTAIN. 



A short distance up the road, the river must again be forded to 

 reach some secluded mountain homes called " Beyers Settlement," 

 from whence the ascent of the mountain is most direct and easiest. 

 I made the ascent in July, 1878, in company with some young 

 friends and a guide. At an elevation of about 3,000 feet, with the 

 Big Frog mountain right before us, we started at four o'clock in the 

 evening, prepared to camp out at least one night. The entire party 

 was on foot, a mule carrying the package. A somewhat level place, . 

 about two-thirds up the mountain, called the " Sugar Orchard," 

 from the sugar maples which cover this place, was chosen for the 

 camping' place, and early in the morning we accomplished the as- 

 cent. 



