T^he Cumberland Mountains 
Discovered two ferns, Dicksonia and a small 
matted polypod on trees, common farther 
South. Also a species of magnolia with very 
large leaves and scarlet conical fruit. Near this 
stream I spent some joyous time in a grand 
rock-dwelling full of mosses, birds, and flowers. 
Most heavenly place I ever entered. The long 
narrow valleys of the mountainside, all well 
watered and nobly adorned with oaks, magno- 
lias, laurels, azaleas, asters, ferns, Hypnum 
mosses, Madotheca [Scale-mosses], etc. Also 
towering clumps of beautiful hemlocks. The 
hemlock, judging from the common species of 
Canada, I regarded as the least noble of the 
conifers. But those of the eastern valleys of the 
Cumberland Mountains are as perfect in form 
and regal in port as the pines themselves. The 
latter abundant. Obtained fine glimpses from 
open places as I descended to the great valley 
between these mountains and the Unaka Moun- 
tains on the state line. Forded the Clinch, a 
beautiful clear stream, that knows many of the 
dearest mountain retreats that ever heard the 
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