Piora 



sort. I walked first along the low ground of the 

 south side (northern aspect) ; it had an under- 

 growth of Alpine rose with a thin wood of 

 scattered firs ; and among this undergrowth was 

 a rich growth of flowers, many of tall growth such 

 as Veratrum, the taller gentians, and monkshood. 

 The top of the lake was a marshy meadow 

 formed in the silt from the mountains, with two 

 small streams. One of these I had to wade, and 

 found the barefooted walking so pleasant that I 

 continued through the rest of the marshy meadow, 

 and made a discovery which I had not noticed 

 before. The river that I waded was icy cold ; 

 the grasses and sedges were pleasant but a little 

 rough ; but the masses of sphagnum were very 

 pleasant, and perceptibly warm to the feet. This 

 warmth of the sphagnum is a puzzle which I 

 cannot solve. I can only suppose that the hot 

 sun warms the water in the sphagnum, and that 

 it does not readily part with the heat so gained. 

 The marshy meadow was full of good marsh 

 plants. The walk home was along the north side 

 (south aspect) which looks entirely bare and 

 barren ; yet every foot has its good flowers, but 

 all of a low growth. I think this ease of reaching 

 good points both for views and plants is a very 

 great recommendation to Piora. 



But it is time to come to the flowers ; and in 



speaking of them I feel almost compelled to speak 



in what might well be called exaggeration and a 



too great use of superlatives ; but it is really 



195 



