ALONE UP MT. KATAHDIN 261 



and some other trees grow on these boulders, send- 

 ing then- roots among the moss, from which they 

 probably draw the necessary nourishment. Here 

 and there a tree falls and its roots strip the moss 

 entirely from the rock, leaving the smooth granite 

 bare and Uke a dazzhng white jewel with its setting 

 of rich dark green. The numerous tracks prove 

 that this is a favourite resort for deer, but the 

 difficulty of walking makes it anything but a 

 desirable place for still-hunting. 



Throughout this region ponds and small lakes 

 may be found nestling snugly among the low- 

 lying hills. These ponds are usually bordered by 

 a strip of boggy moss, and here we find the pitcher 

 plant, whose dark red vases hold their supply of 

 water. What stories a fanciful child might weave 

 of fairies drinking from these dainty vessels provided 

 by nature ! On the surface of the ponds lily-pads 

 float idly, while the ducks dive and play among the 

 long slimy stalks. Such a place affords the best 

 shooting, both deer and moose frequenting the 

 vicinity of ponds, especially those that contain pond 

 lihes. 



Throughout the woodland there is a perfect 

 labyrinth of more or less defined logging roads ; 

 some of these lead to old deserted camps, others to 

 the slides where the timber is launched, and many 

 lead, apparently, nowhere but to some old decayed 

 stump, the relic of a fine tree sacrificed to the cold 

 steel of the woodman's axe. These roads, which 

 are little more than rough timber-strewn paths, are 

 most confusing, and where one tramps alone through 

 the woods, the greatest care is necessary to observe 



