CHAPTER FIFTEEN 



WHERE HAS NATURE SPREAD THE FOREST? 



Our forefathers who came across the water to America 

 found forests stretching away from the water's edge into 

 an unknown wilderness. The settlements spread very 

 slowly into the pathless woods, for there lurked danger 

 from the Indians and wild animals. The Allegheny Moun- 

 tains also held the settlers back for a long time. 



The pioneers found the country, as far as the Ohio River 

 and beyond, still forest- covered ; but by and by openings or 

 prairies began to appear. By the time they had crossed 

 the Great River the forests had been left behind, except 

 for fringes of trees upon the lowlands along the streams. 



From this point westward the open prairies stretched 

 away to the horizon. Antelope, deer, and buffalo were often 

 seen feeding on the rich grasses. The adventurous pioneers 

 pushed on across the fertile prairies, coming at last to a 

 drier and higher region which we have called the Great 

 Plains. On these plains the Rocky Mountains came in 

 sight. These mountains gradually became higher as the 

 travelers approached, until they rose before them like a 

 mighty wall. Here they again met vast forests, which 

 covered all the higher slopes. 



Beyond the Rocky Mountains they crossed a broad land 

 of deserts where little rain fell. The vegetation was so 

 scanty and springs so far apart that many of their horses 

 and cattle died. The dreary and barren deserts were fol- 

 lowed by another lofty range of mountains. Entering 

 these mountains, the pioneers came upon the most magnifi- 

 cent forest that had yet been seen upon our continent. 



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