SNAP-DRAGON. 



The Sierra Nevada mountains of California are the largest 

 and most interesting chain of mountains in the United States. 

 The range, starting from Mt. St. Bernardino, is about four 

 hundred mdes long, its peaks in places towering high above the 

 snow line, Mt. Whitney being about six hundred feet higher 

 than any peak yet measured in the Rocky Mountains. All of 

 the very high peaks of the Sierra are of granite. In the north- 

 ern part there are peaks of metamorphic rock, and many of the 

 summits show volcanic materials. Lassen Peak, 10,577 f eet an d 

 Mount Shasta, 14,440 feet (above the sea), are extinct volcanoes. 



Like an emerald ring encircling this huge finger, are rich 

 ranches to be found at its base f and far up the sides of the 

 mountains. It was my good fortune to be entertained at one 

 of these delightful places. While there, I had for my particu- 

 lar use a fine saddle-horse, and his constant companion was a 

 dog that belonged to no particular breed, and made up in faith- 

 fulness what he lacked in beauty. 



One morning after an hour's ride I dismounted by a lovely 

 bed of moss, and having tied the horse to a young branch, I 

 was soon interested in examining the cells and delicate colorings 

 of the moss through a small magnifymg-glass. 



The loud barking of the dog attracted my attention, and I 

 looked up, to discover the horse quietly walking up the side of 

 the mountain, nipping the young leaves as. he passed along. 



