WILD I' LOWERS OF COLORADO. 15 



much like the eastern columbine that grows wild in New England 

 woods, but there the colors are not as rich, and in size our colum- 

 bine is at least four times larger. There are many shades of 

 color, I am told, but I have never seen but three, yellow, or straw 

 color, pink and purple. 



The next representation is the Mariposa lily. They are 

 considered one of the choice flowers of this State. Tourists 

 gather them every summer, press them and send them to friends 

 in the East ; but there is little satisfaction in preserving them 

 in this way, as they become dry and break, and lose their color, 

 which is a delicate lavender, w^ith touches of yellow or orange, 

 brown and white. They are very delicate and wither quickly 

 afcer breaking from the stem, but as quickly revivsi when placed 

 in water. 



They are not a common flower. I have seen the finest 

 at Manitou. This one I found on one of the foot-hills opposite 

 the jManitou House. It was early in the summer and Ijefore the 

 great concourse of people who vnsit this lovely spot had arrived. 

 Two younix ladies from the East had come to visit me, and 

 we went there to spend a lew days. We arrived there about six 

 o'clock and in time for supper. I noticed the girls had an 

 anxious look, and seemed ex[)ecting to see some one. I incjuired 

 the cause. *'Why, we are looking for the cowboys; where are 

 they ?" *' I do not know," I answered, "but if that is what you 

 are looking for, we w^ill make inquiry at the office." To the office 

 (which is also used for sitting-room as ladies and gentlemen) we 



