
          671

to-day, was the flitting about of several snipes and the antics
of a fish-hawk.  Several times we saw the latter swoop
downward and splash into the water,  but each time its prey
escaped.  We now walked over to <s>furn</s> Furnace Br. and then to
the old furnace.  In the low swampy places at the head of the
branch we found Orontium aquaticum in bloom and occasionally a belated Alder shedding its pollen.  Along the
edges of the fields we found Draba verna, Sisymbrium Thalianum
and Capella Bursa pastoris.  Peas are already an inch or more above
ground; and, in many places are covering the fields with a pleasing
green.  To-day, on reaching the <s>old</s> furnace, I examined the old
walls most carefully and was pleased to find Pillaea atropurpurea
in its crevices.  We wondered why we had not seen it
before; no doubt, it was because on our first examination
the wall was covered with Virginia Creeper, which hid the ferns.
We crossed the inlet, stopped to chat a few minutes with
the charcoal burners, who were at the time, busy making a new
ax, and then took the shell road to Marley.  On our way
we passed a field, planted over completely with short stakes
(about 3 ft. high).  We thought perhaps, some enterprising farmer
was conducting an experiment in vine culture; but, we soon
        