almost useless tree, is nature's restorative, covering the sores and scalds of 

 the burnt mountain side. Though short-lived, with its bright summer fol- 

 iage turning into brilliant autumn hues, it gives grateful shade and pre- 

 serves from the thirsty sun and wind some moisture for the better kinds to 

 thrive and take its place, when it has fulfilled its mission. 



In other regions, as on the prairies of Iowa and Illinois, hazel bushes, 

 or, in the mountains of Pennsylvania and the Alleghanies in general, eri- 

 caceous shrubs, like the Laurels and Rhododendrons, or Hawthorn, Vi- 



ASPEN LAKE, UTAH. 



burnum and Wild Cherry are the first comers, while along the water 

 courses Alders and Willows crowd even the water into narrower channels, 

 catching the soil which is washed from the hillsides and increasing the land 

 area. 



One of the most interesting soil makers, wresting new territory from 

 the ocean itself, is the Mangrove along the coast of Florida. Not only does 

 it reach out with its aerial roots, entangling in their meshes whatever litter 

 may float about, and thus gradually building up the shore, but it pitches 

 even its young brood into the advance of the battle, to wrestle with the 

 waves and gain a foothold as best it may. 



Not less interesting in this respect is that denizen of the southern 

 swamp, the Bald Cypress, with its curious root excrescenses known as 



