46 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



poplars, and many shrubs, lichens, and 

 mosses. The trees were now in full foliage, 

 the plants generally in flower, and the 

 whole scene quite enlivening. There can 

 scarcely be a higher gratification than that 

 which is enjoyed in this country in witness- 

 ing the rapid change which takes place in 

 the course of a few days in the spring; 

 scarcely does the snow disappear from the 

 ground, before the trees are clothed with 

 thick foliage, the shrubs open their leaves, 

 and put forth their variegated flowers, and 

 the whole prospect becomes animating. 

 The spaces between the rocky hills, being 

 for the most part swampy, support willows 

 and a few poplars. These spots are the 

 favourite resort of the musquitoes, which 

 incessantly torment the unfortunate persons 

 who have to pass through them. 



Some of the hills attain an elevation of 

 five or six hundred feet, at the distance of 

 a mile from the house ; and from their 

 summits a very picturesque view is com- 

 manded of the lake, and of the surrounding 

 country. The land above the Great Point 



