I observed also many Dwarf Black or Double Spruces (_Picea Mariana_),—very dark green trees with pretty cones. The name for this tree originated with Theophrastus. It became in the Latin _Pinus Mariana_. Frequently I saw a lone Balsam-Fir tree,—_Abies balsamea_. The name _Abies_ comes down to us from remote antiquity, since this tree grew in Greece, and was valued by the learned physicians before Christ for the balsamic resin found in the bark of young trees. Matthiolus and Peter Bellon described this substance as bitter and aromatic, similar to citron-pills. In England, this resin was known to the writers of the sixteenth century as the Turpentine of Venice. In Canada, where this tree is abundant, it is called “Balm-of-Gilead Fir,” or “Canada Balsam.” It is common on the summit of the Dome. The powerful balsamic fluid drawn from it is now used medicinally. This species resembles the black spruce, save that it is of a silvery-green color, giving forth its peculiar fragrance, and producing small blisters on its trunk and branches, which the spruce does not. Cedar is not plentiful in the Hoosac Valley region, our only species being American Arbor Vitæ (_Thuja occidentalis_), often called white cedar. Northward this tree forms extensive cedar swamps, which are rich haunts for species of _Orchidaceæ_. On the border of the third swamp, and in the heart of it as well, grow High Huckleberry bushes (_Vaccinium corymbosum_). Blueberries are known in New England as huckleberries, and this common swamp species grows very tall. These bushes before me were over twelve feet in height. The Dwarf Low Blueberry (_Vaccinium vacillans_) grows from one to two feet high. The Early Dwarf species (_Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum_) is from six to fifteen inches in height, and produces our earliest market blueberries or huckleberries. The late Dwarf Low Blueberry ripens late in July. The giant bushes in the swamp were laden with both green and ripe fruit. The cadet-blue berries hanging side by side with the soft velvety crimson-purple fruit of Shad-trees (_Amelanchier Canadensis_) made a pretty dash of color among the rich greens. Most country lads are familiar with the mountains at this season, and to go “shad-berrying” is one of their pleasures. In Pownal one hears of shadberry pies and cakes with happy anticipations.