

In the Sierra 



I asked. " Oh, they 're only d d big 

 brakes," he replied. 



Lizards of every temper, style, and color 

 dwell here, seemingly as happy and com- 

 panionable as the birds and squirrels. Lowly, 

 gentle fellow mortals, enjoying God's sun- 

 shine, and doing the best they can in get- 

 ting a living, I like to watch them at their 

 work and play. They bear acquaintance 

 well, and one likes them the better the 

 longer one looks into their beautiful, inno- 

 cent eyes. They are easily tamed, and one 

 soon learns to love them, as they dart about 

 on the hot rocks, swift as dragon-flies. The 

 eye can hardly follow them ; but they 

 never make long-sustained runs, usually only 

 about ten or twelve feet, then a sudden stop, 

 and as sudden a start again; going all their 

 journeys by quick, jerking impulses. These 

 many stops I find are necessary as rests, for 

 they are short-winded, and when pursued 

 steadily are soon out of breath, pant piti- 

 fully, and are easily caught. Their bodies 

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