My First Summer 



reddish bark that becomes shreddy when old. 

 It grows on sun-beaten slopes, and like grass 

 is often swept away by running fires, but is 

 quickly renewed from the roots. Any trees 

 that may have established themselves in its 

 midst are at length killed by these fires, and 

 this no doubt is the secret of the unbroken 

 character of its broad belts. A few man- 

 zanitas, which also rise again from the root 

 after consuming fires, make out to dwell 

 with it, also a few bush composite, - 

 baccharis and linosyris, and some liliaceous 

 plants, mostly calochortus and brodiasa, with 

 deepset bulbs safe from fire. A multitude of 

 birds and " wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous 

 beasties" find good homes in its deepest 

 thickets, and the open bays and lanes that 

 fringe the margins of its main belts offer 

 shelter and food to the deer when winter 

 storms drive them down from their high 

 mountain pastures. A most admirable plant ! 

 It is now in bloom, and I like to wear its 

 pretty fragrant racemes in my buttonhole. 

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