XIV 



Nevada's timbek belt * 



The pine woods on the tops of the Nevada 

 mountains are ah-eady shining and blooming 

 in winter snow, making a most blessedly re- 

 freshing appearance to the weary traveler 

 down on the gray plains. Dming the fiery 

 days of summer the whole of this vast region 

 seems so perfectly possessed by the sun that 

 the very memories of pine trees and snow are 

 in danger of being burned away, leaving one 

 but little more than dust and metal. But 

 since these first winter blessings have come, 

 the wealth and beauty of the landscapes have 

 come fairly into view, and one is rendered 

 capable of looking and seeing. 



The grand nut-harvest is over, as far as the 

 Indians are concerned, though perhaps less 

 than one bushel in a thousand of the whole 

 crop has been gathered. But the squirrels and 

 birds are still busily engaged, and by the time 

 that Nature's ends are accomplished, every 

 nut will doubtless have been put to use. 



All of the nine Nevada conifers mentioned 

 in my last letter are also found in California, 



* Written at Pioche, Nevada, in October, 1878. [Editor.] 

 174 



