AUGUST FLOWERS. 
239 
On the larsrer lakes further westward, and in still weather, these 
cloud islands are often very beautiful ; in that more level region 
tlie broad expanse of Cayuga and Seneca is very much colored 
by the skies. Some people find fault with the great size of those 
islandless lakes ; hut assuredly, lirtng water is never to be quarrelled 
with in a landscape ; smaller basins with higher banks are no doubt 
more picturesque, but those ample, limpid lakes are very fine in their 
way. There is a noble simplicity in their everj^-day aspect which, 
on so great a scale, is in itself imposing. The high winds so fre- 
quent in that part of the country haAfing full scope over their 
broad bosoms, often work out fine storm views, while on the other 
hand the beautiful sunsets of that level region color the waters 
exquisitely. 
Landed at Signal-Oak Point ; the noble spring here was quite 
full, though so many others have failed ; while standing near the 
little fountain, one of our party had the good luck to discover an 
Indian relic in the gravel, a flint arrow-head. It was very neatly 
cut, though not of the largest size. One would like to know its 
little history ; it may ha\'e been dropped by some hunter Avho 
had come to the spring, or been shot from the wood at some 
wild creature drinking there at the moment. Another of these 
arrow-heads was foimd a while since in the gravel of our OAvn 
Avalks ; they are occasionally turned up in the village, but are 
already more rare than one would suppose. 
Gathered several August flowers on the banks of the brook ; 
the yellow knot-root, or Collinsonia, with its horned blossom; 
yellow speckled-jewels, more rare with us than the orange kind ; 
purple asters, and a handsome bunch of red berries of the cranberry- 
tree. We ha\'e frequently found the blue gentian groAving here, but 
