(JUoun^ain (parfi^ 



had been the old outlet of the lake. The steep 

 south shore had sent down more material than 

 the level one on the north. In fact, water-level 

 on the north shore, though concealed by grass, 

 was almost precisely the same as when the 

 waters of the lake shone from shore to shore. 

 In one corner of the meadow was an aspen 

 grove. From the mountain-side above, a land- 

 slide had come down. Rains had eroded this 

 area to bed-rock and had torn out a gully that 

 was several feet wide on the slope below. This 

 washed material was spread out in a delta-like 

 deposit on the surface of the meadow. Aspens 

 took possession of this delta. 



Glacier meadows are usually longer-lived 

 than other mountain parks. In favorable places 

 they sometimes endure for centuries. Com- 

 monly they are slowly replaced by the extend- 

 ing forest. The peaty, turfy growth which covers 

 them is of fine matted roots, almost free of 

 earthy or mineral matter, and often is a satu- 

 rated mattress several feet in thickness. The 

 water-level is usually at the surface, but during 

 an extremely dry time it may sink several inches 



239 



