Mr. Gilly, in his interesting volume of “ Waldensian 
Researches,” mentioning the altitude at which different 
trees and plants will grow, says that, along with the 
Alder, this ranger of the mountain will thrive at the 
height of six thousand feet above the sea. It supplies 
the shepherds with their only fuel; in hard weather, it is 
said, the grouse eat it, and the white hares gnaw its 
bark; but it is only when there is a lack of other food, 
as animals are not fond of it. 
Travellers frequently mention the magical effect pro¬ 
duced by the sight of these shrubs, blooming amongst 
such dreary accompaniments; for, “ from some peculi¬ 
arity of internal structure, alpine plants do not wait for 
the stimulus of the sun’s heat, but exert such a struggle 
to blossom, that their flowers are seen among the yet 
unmelted snow.” 
Raffles alludes to this beautiful shrub “ mingling its 
little crimson blossoms with the scanty herbage which 
clothes the mountains, rising almost perpendicularly 
from the sides of the glacier on the summit of Montan- 
vert,” and doubtlessly it has gladdened many a traveller’s 
heart, by awakening thoughts of Him 
Who makes so gay the solitary place. 
