The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

A Spot Near the CITY Where Nature Has a
Primeval Aspect.

Spot Near the CITY Where Nature Has q
Primeval Aspect.
Comparatively few persons are aware that
within short distance OF the city there exists
bit OF what might be called primeval forest
which has thus far almost entirely escaped the
axe OF the woodman where the murmuring
pines and the nemlocks -" wave as majestically
as in the days Of the Indians. and where
the visitor may be treated to whifi
OF bracing fragrance. or shower OF
pine needles from the towering tree-tops.
THE Greenwoods." as they are called by those
who know them best. lie in a strip OF country
about three miles long by one wide, between
the tracks OF the West Shore Railroad and the
Hackensack River. beginning Just north Of the
road through the town Of Old Tappan. and OK
tending north a little beyond the boundary
line OF the State OF New Jersey. They are hid
den from the road BY q ridge OF land. dotted
with farm houses OF old style. and bright with
fields OF grain.
At the lower end. near the old Tappan road.
the ground Ia low and marshy. a favorite haunt
for raccoons. Here many coon hunt" has
walked the echoes Of the night. and woe betide
the hunter who knows not the ways OF the
Greenwoods," for 1t is the custom In these
parts to send such one through the dark. hot
upon the trail, until OF sudden he loses the
path and pumps up to his knees In the bog.
Further north. tho ground is higher and
here the woods are magnificent Great tree.
trunks rise on every side In manifold vistas,
and under the spreading houghs the air Is
dark with Pickering shadows and sweet with
piney odors. Aged beeches and chestnuts,
sturdy oaks. and hosts Of lesser growth mingle
with the shaggy boles Of the hemlocks. Up
above. hemlocks and oak. beech and chestnut
crowd their branches together into a grsen
n0h Uh hAya ayI h., hnsx
OF the pines shoot up 30 to 100 feet In air. lords
OF the forest.
Thrushes call to one other through the dim
ness. solitary crows start from their perches at
the sound OF a footstep. and the light footed
pedestrian may be fortunate enough II IL be
nesting time. to see a woodcock running away
over tho fallen trunks, Tapping lite brown wings
with mock he'plessn ess. and peering back to
see who Ia disturbing its home
The earth is black and rich with the mold OF
generations. The needles OF the pine and
hemlock are thick upon 1t, and old rottine
trees lie strewn about. where they fell In tenn
pests. Flowers are scarce. though the pink
lady slipper" orchid. the Indian pire and
few others may be found In season Ferns,
however. are in abundance. and the Green
woods have given their share in common
with the rest OF the nenr-by forests OF New
Jersey. to the decoration OF many a hall and
home in the city.
Toward the western limit OF the tract is a
knoll. covered with slender pines. and car
peted with their needles. known as the Indian
burial ground" Tho SPOT may have earned its
name before the white settler penetrated into
the country. At all events. they tell Of skulls
dug from its dark soil, while further proof Of
the former presence Of the Indian is furnished
by the numbers OF fne arrow and spear heads
which have been picked up in the neighbor-
hood.
Not far from here, on the edge OF an omen
meadow. and near where clear srrng bubbles
out OF tho sand. party OF campers usually
take up their abode in the fall. and there arc
other occasional visitors to tho green woods
from Hackensack or nearer towns. or even
from the city; but 1t does not '?-"ar that they
have yet been fully appreciated w. the beauty
seeker a-foot or a-wheel.
THE Greenwoods" may he reached by taking
tho Northern Railroad OF New Jersey to Tap
pan, distance Of "a miles from Jersey City,
or the West Shore to the same place. a triie
further west, whence it is not long walk to
the heart OF the forest