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 1 1. On one of the eastern branches 

 of the river discovered some charming cas- 

 [46] 



