The Portland daily press., 1862-08-28
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letters from the BackwoOds OF Maine.
No. 10-From Kineo to Kdtahdin.

lctteIs iIOm tue bdCkWOO0S Oh luHlues
No. 10-From Kineo to Kdtahdin.
DEAR PRESS The chimney, the wall and
the basin are the characteristic features of this
wonderful mountain. alluded, in my last, to
the gulf at the immediate side of the chimney,
and the narrow ridge which forms the bottom
of the gulf or notch. As we stood at this point,
with deeper gulf on either side having high
wall in front and behind u.s. walls of solid rock
ton, we could catch glimpse of the ravine
which descended abruptly to the Lake in the
Basin. 1t was on the edge of this precipice,
that Rev. Mr.. Blake, an indefatigable botanist,
discovered plant new to our Alpine Flora of
America.
name we give it, "the Beautiful clings to the
naked rock and, in its dreary exposure to the
mountain winds, preserves delicacy of color
and structure, possessed by few plants growing
in the warmer climate of the lower air. We
should think its leaves would become rigid and
the petals assume firmer instead of a more
fragile character, but it is still, like the snow
plants of Switzerland. rare film of cells al
most transparent in its purity. In fact, most
Of the mountain flowers, except those which
are the poor and fallen representatives of the
rich Flora below, are very remarkable for their
beauty. Just as some, who have attained
those heights of worldly eminences, in which
they can find scarcely ray of sympathy which
is not modified by the chillness ofthe situation,
have attracted universal attention by their pu-
rity of life and character.
There are few plants peculiar to these
heights and climates around us ;aplants of Lap
land and Labrador.
II is surely strange problem this of con-
Meeting scattered links and again forming
perfect chain; this problem of the ages of veg
etable life and growth; Of discovering whether
Katahdn and Mount Washington,are now like
Alpine or Arctic islands, in sea ofplants, not
single specimens of which occurs on the sum
mits of theseranges. Many believe that in cer-
tain past age,our whole continent was covered
by Arctic vegetation, and as the land gradual
ly rose, the plants which we now see around
us compelled the Alpine plants to recede, and
at present they grow on those heights and in
those climates alone, to which they have been
obliged to retreat. Thus they now grow in
New England, only on Katahdin and Mount
Washington, causing these to be, as / have just
said, islands in a sea of different vegetation.
Others hold the strong position, that the Al
mighty, by his creative fiat, made these noun
tains to be distinct and separate centres of
creation; that the Beautiful Saxifrage and the
Alpine willows, sprang into being as indirid-
udls, the founders of species. These two theo-
ries are full of suggestion and make this notch
in the mountains an impressive illustration of
either.
Among the characteristic plants around us
are many representatives ofthose species which
the great Linneus first saw in his matter-offact
journey to Lapland, and to which he there
gave distinctive names. The Diapensia nestles
among the lichens and strives to lift its pen
sive head higher than the dwarf birch at its
side.
The chimney towers above us and from its
character, makes one ascent quite perious. 1t
is rough, square pillar of granite scarcely
touching the side of the wall against which it
seems to rest, and with this on one side of us
and the depths on the other, we are to creep
along upon the edge. 1t is only by mutual as
sistance that we can manage to make any pro-
gress at all over this dangerous highway, and
at times we abruptly stop, dizzy and reeling
with our senses confused by this great height,
to which we are unused.
But we must pass on the way is before us,
and we must be calm, our step must be sure.
The way is now along the edge of the wall,
and it is, assuredly, the most impressive walk
we ever took. For three thousand feet, on
either side, we can see nothing but crags and
broken rocks. The Pines in the valley on our
left, and the Spruces in the basin ON the right
seem no larger than tee veriest toy-trees, child
rens playthings and the great bouders are like
the pebbles Of water-worn shore. Upon this
wall we are to proceed nearly three quarters
OF mile, and without single bush, or even
creeping vine. There is nothing but the Itch.
en-, and the hardy moss these, instead of max,
ing our way surer and safer, oblige us to walk
more carefully, and avoid the deceptive sur
iaces. Upon almost any part of the top o.
this wall, from the chimney to the monument
saddle might be placed, and the stirrups hang
down on either side! No wonder that we
creep, instead of walk The wild wind whis
ties about us with its sudden flaws and gusts