RURAL HOURS. 
28 I 
far more fancies of this sort than any other with which we are 
acquainted in this neighborhood. 
Yellow Gerardias are in flower still in the woods, and so is the 
Hawk-wort. The blue Gentian is also in bloom now ; though 
not common, it is found in spots about the lake. 
We gathered, this afternoon, some flowers of the partridge- 
berry and squaw-vine, the only spring blossoms still found in the 
woods. Directly in the path, as Ave were going up Mount , we 
also foimd a large dragon’s-claw, or corallarhiza ; its brown stalk 
and flowers measured about fifteen inches in height, and it was 
dirtded into eight leafless branches. 
Thursday, '1th. — Cooler. Went down to the great meadow for 
lady’s tresses, Avhich grow there plentifully. Pretty and fragrant, 
these flowers are not unlike an autumn lily of the valley ; one is 
puzzled to know Avhy they should be called lady’s tresses — possi- 
bly from the spiral twist of the flowers on the stalk. Gathered 
also a fine bunch of purple asters, and golden bur-marigolds ; these 
last were shghtly fragrant. 
This evening Ave kindled our autumn fires. 
Friday, 8th . — Lovely day ; warm, sih'ery mist, gradually clear- 
ing to soft sunshine. Passed a charmmg morning at the Clifis. 
The wych-hazel is in bloom ; broAvn nuts and yellow flowers on 
the same twig. Gathered some speckled- jewels, partridge-berry, 
and squaw-vine blossoms. Found a purple rose-raspbeiTy in flow- 
er ; it is ahvays pleasant to meet these late floAvers, unlooked-for 
favors as they are. A year or two since the Avild roses on this 
road floAvered in September, a second bloom ; and the same sea- 
son a number of our earlier garden roses bore flowers the second 
time as late as the 16th of September. 
