
          894.

go along the west bank of the river to the three-arched bridge near
Glen Ellen and then go to Towson by way of Glen Ellen and Hampton.

As it looked so very pretty up the river, I walked a short distance
up the stream while Mr. W. awaited my return at the bridge.  When
I returned we started on our trip along the tiver.  We had been told
that we would find Mertensia and Dicentra in profusion on this
trip and it was to find these two pretty plants that we made this
trip.  This trip, too, might be said to be the sequel of our Mertensia
episode of last year on the River Road.  Mr. W. wrote to Mr. Neilson and it was he
who told us of this trip.  At the beginning our path was a little rugged
but very soon we came to level meadows which bordered the river's
bank.  This part of our trip was fine and we enjoyed it very much,
to our right were the steep hills, to our left the river, its opposite
bank also backed by steep hills, and before us continually the
narrow strip of meadow dotted frequently by large patches of 
Erythronium, of May Apple, or as we soon came across, small patches
of Mertensia.  This flower has a very faint odor, the buds when
they first open are reddish purple but when fully open are a pretty blue.
Twice we crossed a little brooks[brook], dashing over the rocks.  By the
time we reached the first bridge a covered wooden one, it was noon,
        