My First Summer 



chored and displaying their broad round 

 umbrella-like leaves in showy groups by 

 themselves, or above the sedge tufts. The 

 flowers of this species (Saxifraga peltata) 

 are purple, and form tall glandular racemes 

 that are in bloom before the appearance of 

 the leaves. The fleshy root-stocks grip the 

 rock in cracks and hollows, and thus enable 

 the plant to hold on against occasional 

 floods,- -a marked species employed by Na- 

 ture to make yet more beautiful the most 

 interesting portions of these cool clear 

 streams. Near camp the trees arch over 

 from bank to bank, making a leafy tunnel 

 full of soft subdued light, through which 

 the young river sings and shines like a happy 

 living creature. 



Heard a few peals of thunder from the 

 upper Sierra, and saw firm white bossy cu- 

 muli rising back of the pines. This was 

 about noon. 



June ii. On one of the eastern branches 

 of the river discovered some charming cas- 



[46] 



