86 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



tain ; but another plant, rivalling them in size and beauty, 

 and evidently peculiar to the Continent, occasionally pre- 

 sented itself as we glided along; it resembled Asclepias in- 

 carnata*? 



In casting our eyes over the country, we observed that 

 the rye crop was universally cut, and in many places al- 

 ready removed from the fields; barley harvest was like- 

 \\ ise going on ; wheat was not cut, but very nearly ready 

 for the scythe ; oats were still green. 



As we advanced up the country, the banks of the canal 

 became gradually higher ; rows of abele (Populus tremula) 

 were common ; and we passed many extensive coppices of 

 oak, birch, and alder. At last the banks became so ele- 

 vated, that we could see only in the line of the canal ; and 

 in this way, for nearly an hour, we were shut out from any 

 general prospect, but enjoyed a vista view of the tower and 

 steeples of the ancient town to which we were approaching. 



Ghent. 

 Early in the afternoon, we reached the far-famed capital 

 of Austrian Flanders, — the seat of " Old John of Gaunt, 

 time-honoured Lancaster, 11 and the birth-place of the Em- 

 peror Charles the Fifth, The distance from Bruges may 

 be about thirty miles. At the principal gate, where we 

 had to exhibit our passports, the name of Macdonald seem- 

 ed to electrify the officer; he hurried through the forms, 

 left his bureau, and heartily shook hands with all of us, in- 



• Tin i a North American plant: but I copy from the original notes. 

 i oc of this plant, afterward! procured near Ghent, with many others 

 which ■ 'i. were unfortunately destroyed at the Custom-House of 



f.»:ith in '-u/ h Having thua been deprived of an opportunity of ex- 



amining many of oui p < im< n in .1 leisurely way, we must necessarily speak 

 ome diffidence about the plants which occurred. 



