Studies in the Sierra 



193 



Clark being the only source whence they could possibly have 

 been derived. 



Near the middle of the basin, just where the regular mo- 

 raines flatten out and disappear, there is outspread a smooth 

 gravel slope, planted with the olive-green Arctostaphylos glau- 

 ca so as to appear in the distance as a delightful meadow. Sec- 

 tions cut by streams show it to be composed of the same ma- 

 terial as the moraines, but finer and more water-worn. The 

 main channel, which is narrow at this point, appears to have 

 been dammed up with ice and terminal moraines, thus giving 

 rise to a central lake, at the bottom of which moraine matter 

 was re-ground and subsequently spread and leveled by the im- 

 petuous action of its outbreaking waters. The southern bound- 

 ary of the basin is a strikingly perfect wall, extending sheer and 

 unbroken from Black Mountain* to Buena Vista Peak, casting 

 a long, cool shadow all through the summer for the protection 

 of fountain snow. The northern rim presents a beautiful suc- 

 cession of smooth undulations, rising here and there to a dome, 

 their pale gray sides dotted with junipers and silver-leafed 

 pines, and separated by dark, feathery base-fringes of fir. 



The ice-plows of Illilouette, ranged side by side in orderly 

 gangs, have furrowed its rocks with admirable uniformity, pro- 

 ducing irrigating channels for a brood of wild streams, and 

 abundance of deep, rich soils, adapted to every requirement of 

 garden and grove. No other section of the Yosemite uplands 

 is in so high a state of glacial cultivation. Its clustering domes, 

 sheer walls, and lofty towering peaks, however majestic in 

 themselves, are only border adornments, submissively subordi- 

 nate to their sublime garden center. The basins of Yosemite 

 Creek, Tenaya, and South Lyell are pages of sculptured rocks 

 embellished with gardens. The IlUlouette basin is one grand 

 garden embellished with rocks. 



Nature manifests her love for the number five in her glaciers, 

 as well as in the petals of the flowers which she plants in their 

 pathways. These five Yosemite glaciers we have been sketch- 

 ing are as directly related to one another, and for as defi- 

 nite an object, as are the organs of a plant. After uniting in 



* This mountain occurs next south of Red Mountain, and must not be confound- 

 ed with the Black Mountain six miles farther south. 



