MARIPOSA LILY. 



It was on our way out from the grove of big trees that I 

 found this lovely lily, a bed of them, in which I counted four- 

 teen distinct markings. Every passenger in the coach got out 

 to look at the bed. It was not large, being about four or five 

 yards in circumference, and looked as if planted and protected 

 by some careful hand. The flowers looked like so many but- 

 terflies, with wings outspread ready for flight, their rich colors 

 glistening in the sun. 



Mariposa county is named for this flower, as also the grove 

 of trees we had just left. 



A feeling of awe comes over me when I think of those 

 giants of the forest, standing here and there as guardians of 

 that mighty family. 



With the exception of "The Brothers' they do not grow 

 close together, and if they continue to grow as much in the next 

 thousand years as they have in the past thousand, they have 

 made a wise choice in securing ground room for growth. 



Much has been written of the " Wawona," and it is a 

 duty, as well as pleasure, for each visitor to drive through it. 

 Our coach, drawn by six horses, took us through the opening, 

 and plenty of room to spare. All of the large trees show signs 

 of fire being made on the side of them, and it is supposed the 

 Indians had their fire-worship here. I could well understand 

 their love and worship for these living gods. As Nature is 



