The Spectacle Ponds are beautiful sheets of water in the forest, lying near each other, and connected by shallow streams, through which the guides waded and dragged the boats. The outlet -- a narrow, sinuous stream, and then shallow, because of a drought that was prevailing in all that northern country -- is called " Stony Brook." After a course of thrci' and a half miles tlirough wild and picturesque scenery, it empties into the llaquette lliver. All along its shores we saw fresh tracks of the

THE HUDSON.

deer, and upon its banks the splendid Cardinal flower {Lobelia cardinalis), glowing like flame, was seen in many a nook>'

Our entrance into the Raquette was so quiet and unexpected, that we

EAQlliTTK EIVKR.

were not aware of the change until we were fairly upon its broader bosom. It is the most beautiful river in all that wild interior. Its

* This superb plant is found from July to October along the shores of the lakes, rivers, and rivulets, and in swamps, all over northern New York. It is perennial, and is borne upon an erect stem, from two to three feet in height. The leaves are long and slender, with a long, tapering base. The flowere are large and very sliowj'. Corolla bright scarlet ; the tube slender ; segments of the lower lip oblonglanceolate ; filaments red; anthers blue ; stigma tlu-ee-lobed, and at length protruded. It grows readily when transplanted, even in dry soil, and is frequently seen in our gardens. A picture of this plant forms a portion of the design around the initial letter at the head of this chapter.