20 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO. 



pink when they first blossom, but grow paler as they grow older. 

 They are the same as the wild roses of the East, those you 

 are familiar with from your childhood, and they have become so 

 dear in )()ur memory that any painting I could give you would, I 

 fear, prove only a disappointment. 



Our first camp was made about four o'clock in the afternoon 

 of the day we left Denver, a few miles from Colorado Springs, 

 the engineer choosing a j)lace where the car could be safely side- 

 tracked. As this was our first stop, all seemed anxious to leave 

 the car. 



The men had heard that a jack rabbit had been seen to pi^ss 

 over this part of the country. A vote was taken, and it was 

 agreed that we should add Mr. Jack Rabbit to our party. So 

 while they had gone to look for tracks and supper was being 

 prepared, I took my materials and w^andering off a short distance 

 was soon at work, having discov^ered this lovely po[)py — primula 

 argemone Mexicana. Standing quite by itself, this one grew 

 about three feet high. They seldom grow any taller, the common 

 height being from one to two feet. The blossom is very delicate, 

 being almost transparent, the center being a bright yellow\ The 

 green leaves, as you see, are very thick, with little sharp thorns 

 growing from them. They are very unpleasant to handle, and on 

 this account the blossom is seldom broken from the bush. 



While looking at this prickly poppy, I could almost hear 

 it say: "You may paint me and admire me to your heart's 

 content, but I am safe in 3'our company, I am w^ell gi'iarded ; 



:smt 



