June 9. How deep our sleep last night in the mountain’s heart, beneath the trees and stars, hushed by solemn-sounding waterfalls and many small soothing10 voices in sweet accord whispering peace! And our first pure mountain day, warm, calm, cloudless,—how immeasurable it seems, how serenely11 wild! I can scarcely remember its beginning. Along the river, over the hills, in the ground, in the sky, spring work is going on with joyful12 enthusiasm, new life, new beauty, unfolding, unrolling in glorious exuberant13 extravagance,[Pg 33]—new birds in their nests, new winged creatures in the air, and new leaves, new flowers, spreading, shining, rejoicing everywhere.
The trees about the camp stand close, giving ample shade for ferns and lilies, while back from the bank most of the sunshine reaches the ground, calling up the grasses and flowers in glorious array, tall bromus waving like bamboos, starry14 compositæ, monardella, Mariposa tulips, lupines, gilias, violets, glad children of light. Soon every fern frond7 will be unrolled, great beds of common pteris and woodwardia along the river, wreaths and rosettes of pellæa and cheilanthes on sunny rocks. Some of the woodwardia fronds are already six feet high.
A handsome little shrub15, Chamæbatia foliolosa, belonging to the rose family, spreads a yellow-green mantle16 beneath the sugar pines for miles without a break, not mixed or roughened with other plants. Only here and there a Washington lily may be seen nodding above its even surface, or a bunch or two of tall bromus as if for ornament17. This fine carpet shrub begins to appear at, say, twenty-five hundred or three thousand feet above sea level, is about knee high or less, has brown branches, and the largest stems are only about half an inch in diameter. The leaves, light yellow green,[Pg 34] thrice pinnate and finely cut, give them a rich ferny appearance, and they are dotted with minute glands18 that secrete19 wax with a peculiar20 pleasant odor that blends finely with the spicy21 fragrance22 of the pines. The flowers are white, five eighths of an inch in diameter, and look like those of the strawberry. Am delighted with this little bush. It is the only true carpet shrub of this part of the Sierra. The manzanita, rhamnus, and most of the species of ceanothus make shaggy rugs and border fringes rather than carpets or mantles24.
The sheep do not take kindly25 to their new pastures, perhaps from being too closely hemmed26 in by the hills. They are never fully27 at rest. Last night they were frightened, probably by bears or coyotes prowling and planning for a share of the grand mass of mutton.
June 10. Very warm. We get water for the camp from a rock basin at the foot of a picturesque cascading28 reach of the river where it is well stirred and made lively without being beaten into dusty foam29. The rock here is black metamorphic slate30, worn into smooth knobs in the stream channels, contrasting with the fine gray and white cascading water as it glides32 and glances and falls in lace-like sheets and braided overfolding currents. Tufts of sedge growing[Pg 35] on the rock knobs that rise above the surface produce a charming effect, the long elastic33 leaves arching over in every direction, the tips of the longest drooping34 into the current, which dividing against the projecting rocks makes still finer lines, uniting with the sedges to see how beautiful the happy stream can be made. Nor is this all, for the giant saxifrage also is growing on some of the knob rock islets, firmly anchored and displaying their broad, round, umbrella-like leaves in showy groups by themselves, or above the sedge tufts. The flowers of this species (Saxifraga peltata) are purple, and form tall glandular35 racemes that are in bloom before the appearance of the leaves. The fleshy root-stocks grip the rock in cracks and hollows, and thus enable the plant to hold on against occasional floods,—a marked species employed by Nature to make yet more beautiful the most interesting portions of these cool clear streams. Near camp the trees arch over from bank to bank, making a leafy tunnel full of soft subdued36 light, through which the young river sings and shines like a happy living creature.
Heard a few peals37 of thunder from the upper Sierra, and saw firm white bossy38 cumuli rising back of the pines. This was about noon.
June 11. On one of the eastern branches of[Pg 36] the river discovered some charming cascades39 with a pool at the foot of each of them. White dashing water, a few bushes and tufts of carex on ledges40 leaning over with fine effect, and large orange lilies assembled in superb groups on fertile soil-beds beside the pools.
There are no large meadows or grassy plains near camp to supply lasting41 pasture for our thousands of busy nibblers. The main dependence42 is ceanothus brush on the hills and tufted grass patches here and there, with lupines and pea-vines among the flowers on sunny open spaces. Large areas have already been stripped bare, or nearly so, compelling the poor hungry wool bundles to scatter43 far and wide, keeping the shepherds and dogs at the top of their speed to hold them within bounds. Mr. Delaney has gone back to the plains, taking the Indian and Chinaman with him, leaving instruction to keep the flock here or hereabouts until his return, which he promised would not be long delayed.
How fine the weather is! Nothing more celestial44 can I conceive. How gently the winds blow! Scarce can these tranquil45 air-currents be called winds. They seem the very breath of Nature, whispering peace to every living thing. Down in the camp dell there is no swaying of tree-tops; most of the time not a leaf moves.[Pg 37] I don’t remember having seen a single lily swinging on its stalk, though they are so tall the least breeze would rock them. What grand bells these lilies have! Some of them big enough for children’s bonnets46. I have been sketching47 them, and would fain draw every leaf of their wide shining whorls and every curved and spotted48 petal49. More beautiful, better kept gardens cannot be imagined. The species is Lilium pardalinum, five to six feet high, leaf-whorls a foot wide, flowers about six inches wide, bright orange, purple spotted in the throat, segments revolute—a majestic50 plant.
June 12. A slight sprinkle of rain—large drops far apart, falling with hearty51 pat and plash on leaves and stones and into the mouths of the flowers. Cumuli rising to the eastward52. How beautiful their pearly bosses! How well they harmonize with the upswelling rocks beneath them. Mountains of the sky, solid-looking, finely sculptured, their richly varied54 topography wonderfully defined. Never before have I seen clouds so substantial looking in form and texture55. Nearly every day toward noon they rise with visible swelling53 motion as if new worlds were being created. And how fondly they brood and hover56 over the gardens and forests with their cooling shadows and[Pg 38] showers, keeping every petal and leaf in glad health and heart. One may fancy the clouds themselves are plants, springing up in the sky-fields at the call of the sun, growing in beauty until they reach their prime, scattering57 rain and hail like berries and seeds, then wilting58 and dying.
The mountain live oak, common here and a thousand feet or so higher, is like the live oak of Florida, not only in general appearance, foliage59, bark, and wide-branching habit, but in its tough, knotty60, unwedgeable wood. Standing61 alone with plenty of elbow room, the largest trees are about seven to eight feet in diameter near the ground, sixty feet high, and as wide or wider across the head. The leaves are small and undivided, mostly without teeth or wavy62 edging, though on young shoots some are sharply serrated, both kinds being found on the same tree. The cups of the medium-sized acorns63 are shallow, thick walled, and covered with a golden dust of minute hairs. Some of the trees have hardly any main trunk, dividing near the ground into large wide-spreading limbs, and these, dividing again and again, terminate in long, drooping, cord-like branchlets, many of which reach nearly to the ground, while a dense64 canopy65 of short, shining, leafy branchlets forms a round head which looks[Pg 39] something like a cumulus cloud when the sunshine is pouring over it.
A marked plant is the bush poppy (Dendromecon rigidum), found on the hot hillsides near camp, the only woody member of the order I have yet met in all my walks. Its flowers are bright orange yellow, an inch to two inches wide, fruit-pods three or four inches long, slender and curving,—height of bushes about four feet, made up of many slim, straight branches, radiating from the root,—a companion of the manzanita and other sun-loving chaparral shrubs66.
June 13. Another glorious Sierra day in which one seems to be dissolved and absorbed and sent pulsing onward67 we know not where. Life seems neither long nor short, and we take no more heed68 to save time or make haste than do the trees and stars. This is true freedom, a good practical sort of immortality70. Yonder rises another white skyland. How sharply the yellow pine spires71 and the palm-like crowns of the sugar pines are outlined on its smooth white domes73. And hark! the grand thunder billows booming, rolling from ridge to ridge, followed by the faithful shower.
A good many herbaceous plants come thus far up the mountains from the plains, and are now in flower, two months later than their low[Pg 40]land relatives. Saw a few columbines to-day. Most of the ferns are in their prime,—rock ferns on the sunny hillsides, cheilanthes, pellæa, gymnogramme; woodwardia, aspidium, woodsia along the stream banks, and the common Pteris aquilina on sandy flats. This last, however common, is here making shows of strong, exuberant, abounding74 beauty to set the botanist75 wild with admiration76. I measured some scarce full grown that are more than seven feet high. Though the commonest and most widely distributed of all the ferns, I might almost say that I never saw it before. The broad-shouldered fronds held high on smooth stout77 stalks growing close together, overleaning and overlapping78, make a complete ceiling, beneath which one may walk erect79 over several acres without being seen, as if beneath a roof. And how soft and lovely the light streaming through this living ceiling, revealing the arching branching ribs80 and veins81 of the fronds as the framework of countless82 panes83 of pale green and yellow plant-glass nicely fitted together—a fairyland created out of the commonest fern-stuff.
The smaller animals wander about as if in a tropical forest. I saw the entire flock of sheep vanish at one side of a patch and reappear a hundred yards farther on at the other, their[Pg 41] progress betrayed only by the jerking and trembling of the fronds; and strange to say very few of the stout woody stalks were broken. I sat a long time beneath the tallest fronds, and never enjoyed anything in the way of a bower84 of wild leaves more strangely impressive. Only spread a fern frond over a man’s head and worldly cares are cast out, and freedom and beauty and peace come in. The waving of a pine tree on the top of a mountain,—a magic wand in Nature’s hand,—every devout85 mountaineer knows its power; but the marvelous beauty value of what the Scotch87 call a breckan in a still dell, what poet has sung this? It would seem impossible that any one, however incrusted with care, could escape the Godful influence of these sacred fern forests. Yet this very day I saw a shepherd pass through one of the finest of them without betraying more feeling than his sheep. “What do you think of these grand ferns?” I asked. “Oh, they’re only d——d big brakes,” he replied.
Lizards88 of every temper, style, and color dwell here, seemingly as happy and companionable as the birds and squirrels. Lowly, gentle fellow mortals, enjoying God’s sunshine, and doing the best they can in getting a living, I like to watch them at their work and play. They bear acquaintance well, and one likes[Pg 42] them the better the longer one looks into their beautiful, innocent eyes. They are easily tamed, and one soon learns to love them, as they dart89 about on the hot rocks, swift as dragon-flies. The eye can hardly follow them; but they never make long-sustained runs, usually only about ten or twelve feet, then a sudden stop, and as sudden a start again; going all their journeys by quick, jerking impulses. These many stops I find are necessary as rests, for they are short-winded, and when pursued steadily90 are soon out of breath, pant pitifully, and are easily caught. Their bodies are more than half tail, but these tails are well managed, never heavily dragged nor curved up as if hard to carry; on the contrary, they seem to follow the body lightly of their own will. Some are colored like the sky, bright as bluebirds, others gray like the lichened91 rocks on which they hunt and bask92. Even the horned toad93 of the plains is a mild, harmless creature, and so are the snake-like species which glide31 in curves with true snake motion, while their small, undeveloped limbs drag as useless appendages94. One specimen95 fourteen inches long which I observed closely made no use whatever of its tender, sprouting96 limbs, but glided97 with all the soft, sly ease and grace of a snake. Here comes a little, gray, dusty fellow who seems to know[Pg 43] and trust me, running about my feet, and looking up cunningly into my face. Carlo is watching, makes a quick pounce98 on him, for the fun of the thing I suppose; but Liz has shot away from his paws like an arrow, and is safe in the recesses99 of a clump100 of chaparral. Gentle saurians, dragons, descendants of an ancient and mighty101 race, Heaven bless you all and make your virtues102 known! for few of us know as yet that scales may cover fellow creatures as gentle and lovable as feathers, or hair, or cloth.
Mastodons and elephants used to live here no great geological time ago, as shown by their bones, often discovered by miners in washing gold-gravel103. And bears of at least two species are here now, besides the California lion or panther, and wild cats, wolves, foxes, snakes, scorpions104, wasps105, tarantulas; but one is almost tempted106 at times to regard a small savage107 black ant as the master existence of this vast mountain world. These fearless, restless, wandering imps108, though only about a quarter of an inch long, are fonder of fighting and biting than any beast I know. They attack every living thing around their homes, often without cause as far as I can see. Their bodies are mostly jaws109 curved like ice-hooks, and to get work for these weapons seems to be their chief aim and pleasure. Most of their colonies are established in[Pg 44] living oaks somewhat decayed or hollowed, in which they can conveniently build their cells. These are chosen probably because of their strength as opposed to the attacks of animals and storms. They work both day and night, creep into dark caves, climb the highest trees, wander and hunt through cool ravines as well as on hot, unshaded ridges111, and extend their highways and byways over everything but water and sky. From the foothills to a mile above the level of the sea nothing can stir without their knowledge; and alarms are spread in an incredibly short time, without any howl or cry that we can hear. I can’t understand the need of their ferocious112 courage; there seems to be no common sense in it. Sometimes, no doubt, they fight in defense113 of their homes, but they fight anywhere and always wherever they can find anything to bite. As soon as a vulnerable spot is discovered on man or beast, they stand on their heads and sink their jaws, and though torn limb from limb, they will yet hold on and die biting deeper. When I contemplate114 this fierce creature so widely distributed and strongly intrenched, I see that much remains115 to be done ere the world is brought under the rule of universal peace and love.
On my way to camp a few minutes ago, I[Pg 45] passed a dead pine nearly ten feet in diameter. It has been enveloped116 in fire from top to bottom so that now it looks like a grand black pillar set up as a monument. In this noble shaft117 a colony of large jet-black ants have established themselves, laboriously118 cutting tunnels and cells through the wood, whether sound or decayed. The entire trunk seems to have been honeycombed, judging by the size of the talus of gnawed120 chips like sawdust piled up around its base. They are more intelligent looking than their small, belligerent121, strong-scented brethren, and have better manners, though quick to fight when required. Their towns are carved in fallen trunks as well as in those left standing, but never in sound, living trees or in the ground. When you happen to sit down to rest or take notes near a colony, some wandering hunter is sure to find you and come cautiously forward to discover the nature of the intruder and what ought to be done. If you are not too near the town and keep perfectly123 still he may run across your feet a few times, over your legs and hands and face, up your trousers, as if taking your measure and getting comprehensive views, then go in peace without raising an alarm. If, however, a tempting124 spot is offered or some suspicious movement excites him, a bite follows, and such a bite! I fancy that a bear or wolf[Pg 46] bite is not to be compared with it. A quick electric flame of pain flashes along the outraged125 nerves, and you discover for the first time how great is the capacity for sensation you are possessed126 of. A shriek127, a grab for the animal, and a bewildered stare follow this bite of bites as one comes back to consciousness from sudden eclipse. Fortunately, if careful, one need not be bitten oftener than once or twice in a lifetime. This wonderful electric species is about three fourths of an inch long. Bears are fond of them, and tear and gnaw119 their home-logs to pieces, and roughly devour128 the eggs, larvæ, parent ants, and the rotten or sound wood of the cells, all in one spicy acid hash. The Digger Indians also are fond of the larvæ and even of the perfect ants, so I have been told by old mountaineers. They bite off and reject the head, and eat the tickly acid body with keen relish129. Thus are the poor biters bitten, like every other biter, big or little, in the world’s great family.
There is also a fine, active, intelligent-looking red species, intermediate in size between the above. They dwell in the ground, and build large piles of seed husks, leaves, straw, etc., over their nests. Their food seems to be mostly insects and plant leaves, seeds and sap. How many mouths Nature has to fill, how[Pg 47] many neighbors we have, how little we know about them, and how seldom we get in each other’s way! Then to think of the infinite numbers of smaller fellow mortals, invisibly small, compared with which the smallest ants are as mastodons.
June 14. The pool-basins below the falls and cascades hereabouts, formed by the heavy down-plunging currents, are kept nicely clean and clear of detritus130. The heavier parts of the material swept over the falls are heaped up a short distance in front of the basins in the form of a dam, thus tending, together with erosion, to increase their size. Sudden changes, however, are effected during the spring floods, when the snow is melting and the upper tributaries131 are roaring loud from “bank to brae.” Then boulders133 that have fallen into the channels, and which the ordinary summer and winter currents were unable to move, are suddenly swept forward as by a mighty besom, hurled134 over the falls into these pools, and piled up in a new dam together with part of the old one, while some of the smaller boulders are carried further down stream and variously lodged135 according to size and shape, all seeking rest where the force of the current is less than the resistance they are able to offer. But the greatest changes made in these relations of fall, pool,[Pg 48] and dam are caused, not by the ordinary spring floods, but by extraordinary ones that occur at irregular intervals136. The testimony137 of trees growing on flood boulder132 deposits shows that a century or more has passed since the last master flood came to awaken138 everything movable to go swirling140 and dancing on wonderful journeys. These floods may occur during the summer, when heavy thunder-showers, called “cloud-bursts,” fall on wide, steeply inclined stream basins furrowed141 by converging channels, which suddenly gather the waters together into the main trunk in booming torrents142 of enormous transporting power, though short lived.
One of these ancient flood boulders stands firm in the middle of the stream channel, just below the lower edge of the pool dam at the foot of the fall nearest our camp. It is a nearly cubical mass of granite143 about eight feet high, plushed with mosses144 over the top and down the sides to ordinary high-water mark. When I climbed on top of it to-day and lay down to rest, it seemed the most romantic spot I had yet found—the one big stone with its mossy level top and smooth sides standing square and firm and solitary146, like an altar, the fall in front of it bathing it lightly with the finest of the spray, just enough to keep its moss145 cover fresh;[Pg 49] the clear green pool beneath, with its foam-bells and its half circle of lilies leaning forward like a band of admirers, and flowering dogwood and alder147 trees leaning over all in sun-sifted arches. How soothingly149, restfully cool it is beneath that leafy, translucent150 ceiling, and how delightful151 the water music—the deep bass152 tones of the fall, the clashing, ringing spray, and infinite variety of small low tones of the current gliding153 past the side of the boulder-island, and glinting against a thousand smaller stones down the ferny channel! All this shut in; every one of these influences acting154 at short range as if in a quiet room. The place seemed holy, where one might hope to see God.
After dark, when the camp was at rest, I groped my way back to the altar boulder and passed the night on it,—above the water, beneath the leaves and stars,—everything still more impressive than by day, the fall seen dimly white, singing Nature’s old love song with solemn enthusiasm, while the stars peering through the leaf-roof seemed to join in the white water’s song. Precious night, precious day to abide155 in me forever. Thanks be to God for this immortal69 gift.
June 15. Another reviving morning. Down the long mountain-slopes the sunbeams pour, gilding156 the awakening157 pines, cheering every[Pg 50] needle, filling every living thing with joy. Robins158 are singing in the alder and maple160 groves162, the same old song that has cheered and sweetened countless seasons over almost all of our blessed continent. In this mountain hollow they seem as much at home as in farmers’ orchards163. Bullock’s oriole and the Louisiana tanager are here also, with many warblers and other little mountain troubadours, most of them now busy about their nests.
Discovered another magnificent specimen of the goldcup oak six feet in diameter, a Douglas spruce seven feet, and a twining lily (Stropholirion), with stem eight feet long, and sixty rose-colored flowers.
Sugar pine cones164 are cylindrical165, slightly tapered166 at the end and rounded at the base. Found one to-day nearly twenty-four inches long and six in diameter, the scales being open. Another specimen nineteen inches long; the average length of full-grown cones on trees favorably situated168 is nearly eighteen inches. On the lower edge of the belt at a height of about twenty-five hundred feet above the sea they are smaller, say a foot to fifteen inches long, and at a height of seven thousand feet or more near the upper limits of its growth in the Yosemite region they are about the same size. This noble tree is an inexhaustible study and[Pg 51] source of pleasure. I never weary of gazing at its grand tassel169 cones, its perfectly round bole one hundred feet or more without a limb, the fine purplish color of its bark, and its magnificent outsweeping, down-curving feathery arms forming a crown always bold and striking and exhilarating. In habit and general port it looks somewhat like a palm, but no palm that I have yet seen displays such majesty171 of form and behavior either when poised172 silent and thoughtful in sunshine, or wide-awake waving in storm winds with every needle quivering. When young it is very straight and regular in form like most other conifers; but at the age of fifty to one hundred years it begins to acquire individuality, so that no two are alike in their prime or old age. Every tree calls for special admiration. I have been making many sketches173, and regret that I cannot draw every needle. It is said to reach a height of three hundred feet, though the tallest I have measured falls short of this stature174 sixty feet or more. The diameter of the largest near the ground is about ten feet, though I’ve heard of some twelve feet thick or even fifteen. The diameter is held to a great height, the taper167 being almost imperceptibly gradual. Its companion, the yellow pine, is almost as large. The long silvery foliage of the younger specimens175 forms[Pg 52] magnificent cylindrical brushes on the top shoots and the ends of the upturned branches, and when the wind sways the needles all one way at a certain angle every tree becomes a tower of white quivering sun-fire. Well may this shining species be called the silver pine. The needles are sometimes more than a foot long, almost as long as those of the long-leaf pine of Florida. But though in size the yellow pine almost equals the sugar pine, and in rugged176 enduring strength seems to surpass it, it is far less marked in general habit and expression, with its regular conventional spire72 and its comparatively small cones clustered stiffly among the needles. Were there no sugar pine, then would this be the king of the world’s eighty or ninety species, the brightest of the bright, waving, worshiping multitude. Were they mere177 mechanical sculptures, what noble objects they would still be! How much more throbbing179, thrilling, overflowing180, full of life in every fiber181 and cell, grand glowing silver-rods—the very gods of the plant kingdom, living their sublime182 century lives in sight of Heaven, watched and loved and admired from generation to generation! And how many other radiant resiny sun trees are here and higher up,—libocedrus, Douglas spruce, silver fir, sequoia184. How rich our inheritance in these blessed mountains,[Pg 53] the tree pastures into which our eyes are turned!
Now comes sundown. The west is all a glory of color transfiguring everything. Far up the Pilot Peak Ridge the radiant host of trees stand hushed and thoughtful, receiving the Sun’s good-night, as solemn and impressive a leave-taking as if sun and trees were to meet no more. The daylight fades, the color spell is broken, and the forest breathes free in the night breeze beneath the stars.
June 16. One of the Indians from Brown’s Flat got right into the middle of the camp this morning, unobserved. I was seated on a stone, looking over my notes and sketches, and happening to look up, was startled to see him standing grim and silent within a few steps of me, as motionless and weather-stained as an old tree-stump that had stood there for centuries. All Indians seem to have learned this wonderful way of walking unseen,—making themselves invisible like certain spiders I have been observing here, which, in case of alarm, caused, for example, by a bird alighting on the bush their webs are spread upon, immediately bounce themselves up and down on their elastic threads so rapidly that only a blur185 is visible. The wild Indian power of escaping observation, even where there is little or no cover to hide in, was[Pg 54] probably slowly acquired in hard hunting and fighting lessons while trying to approach game, take enemies by surprise, or get safely away when compelled to retreat. And this experience transmitted through many generations seems at length to have become what is vaguely186 called instinct.
How smooth and changeless seems the surface of the mountains about us! Scarce a track is to be found beyond the range of the sheep except on small open spots on the sides of the streams, or where the forest carpets are thin or wanting. On the smoothest of these open strips and patches deer tracks may be seen, and the great suggestive footprints of bears, which, with those of the many small animals, are scarce enough to answer as a kind of light ornamental187 stitching or embroidery188. Along the main ridges and larger branches of the river Indian trails may be traced, but they are not nearly as distinct as one would expect to find them. How many centuries Indians have roamed these woods nobody knows, probably a great many, extending far beyond the time that Columbus touched our shores, and it seems strange that heavier marks have not been made. Indians walk softly and hurt the landscape hardly more than the birds and squirrels, and their brush and bark huts last hardly longer than those of[Pg 55] wood rats, while their more enduring monuments, excepting those wrought189 on the forests by the fires they made to improve their hunting grounds, vanish in a few centuries.
How different are most of those of the white man, especially on the lower gold region—roads blasted in the solid rock, wild streams dammed and tamed and turned out of their channels and led along the sides of cañons and valleys to work in mines like slaves. Crossing from ridge to ridge, high in the air, on long straddling trestles as if flowing on stilts190, or down and up across valleys and hills, imprisoned191 in iron pipes to strike and wash away hills and miles of the skin of the mountain’s face, riddling192, stripping every gold gully and flat. These are the white man’s marks made in a few feverish193 years, to say nothing of mills, fields, villages, scattered194 hundreds of miles along the flank of the Range. Long will it be ere these marks are effaced195, though Nature is doing what she can, replanting, gardening, sweeping170 away old dams and flumes, leveling gravel and boulder piles, patiently trying to heal every raw scar. The main gold storm is over. Calm enough are the gray old miners scratching a bare living in waste diggings here and there. Thundering underground blasting is still going on to feed the pounding quartz[Pg 56] mills, but their influence on the landscape is light as compared with that of the pick-and-shovel storms waged a few years ago. Fortunately for Sierra scenery the gold-bearing slates196 are mostly restricted to the foothills. The region about our camp is still wild, and higher lies the snow about as trackless as the sky.
Only a few hills and domes of cloudland were built yesterday and none at all to-day. The light is peculiarly white and thin, though pleasantly warm. The serenity197 of this mountain weather in the spring, just when Nature’s pulses are beating highest, is one of its greatest charms. There is only a moderate breeze from the summits of the Range at night, and a slight breathing from the sea and the lowland hills and plains during the day, or stillness so complete no leaf stirs. The trees hereabouts have but little wind history to tell.
Sheep, like people, are ungovernable when hungry. Excepting my guarded lily gardens, almost every leaf that these hoofed198 locusts199 can reach within a radius200 of a mile or two from camp has been devoured201. Even the bushes are stripped bare, and in spite of dogs and shepherds the sheep scatter to all points of the compass and vanish in dust. I fear some are lost, for one of the sixteen black ones is missing.[Pg 57]
June 17. Counted the wool bundles this morning as they bounced through the narrow corral gate. About three hundred are missing, and as the shepherd could not go to seek them, I had to go. I tied a crust of bread to my belt, and with Carlo set out for the upper slopes of the Pilot Peak Ridge, and had a good day, notwithstanding the care of seeking the silly runaways202. I went out for wool, and did not come back shorn. A peculiar light circled around the horizon, white and thin like that often seen over the auroral204 corona205, blending into the blue of the upper sky. The only clouds were a few faint flossy pencilings like combed silk. I pushed direct to the boundary of the usual range of the flock, and around it until I found the outgoing trail of the wanderers. It led far up the ridge into an open place surrounded by a hedge-like growth of ceanothus chaparral. Carlo knew what I was about, and eagerly followed the scent122 until we came up to them, huddled206 in a timid, silent bunch. They had evidently been here all night and all the forenoon, afraid to go out to feed. Having escaped restraint, they were, like some people we know of, afraid of their freedom, did not know what to do with it, and seemed glad to get back into the old familiar bondage207.
June 18. Another inspiring morning, noth[Pg 58]ing better in any world can be conceived. No description of Heaven that I have ever heard or read of seems half so fine. At noon the clouds occupied about .05 of the sky, white filmy touches drawn208 delicately on the azure209.
The high ridges and hilltops beyond the woolly locusts are now gay with monardella, clarkia, coreopsis, and tall tufted grasses, some of them tall enough to wave like pines. The lupines, of which there are many ill-defined species, are now mostly out of flower, and many of the compositæ are beginning to fade, their radiant corollas vanishing in fluffy210 pappus like stars in mist.
We had another visitor from Brown’s Flat to-day, an old Indian woman with a basket on her back. Like our first caller from the village, she got fairly into camp and was standing in plain view when discovered. How long she had been quietly looking on, I cannot say. Even the dogs failed to notice her stealthy approach. She was on her way, I suppose, to some wild garden, probably for lupine and starchy saxifrage leaves and rootstocks. Her dress was calico rags, far from clean. In every way she seemed sadly unlike Nature’s neat well-dressed animals, though living like them on the bounty211 of the wilderness212. Strange that mankind alone is dirty. Had she been clad[Pg 59] in fur, or cloth woven of grass or shreddy bark, like the juniper and libocedrus mats, she might then have seemed a rightful part of the wilderness; like a good wolf at least, or bear. But from no point of view that I have found are such debased fellow beings a whit23 more natural than the glaring tailored tourists we saw that frightened the birds and squirrels.
June 19. Pure sunshine all day. How beautiful a rock is made by leaf shadows! Those of the live oak are particularly clear and distinct, and beyond all art in grace and delicacy213, now still as if painted on stone, now gliding softly as if afraid of noise, now dancing, waltzing in swift, merry swirls214, or jumping on and off sunny rocks in quick dashes like wave embroidery on seashore cliffs. How true and substantial is this shadow beauty, and with what sublime extravagance is beauty thus multiplied! The big orange lilies are now arrayed in all their glory of leaf and flower. Noble plants, in perfect health, Nature’s darlings.
June 20. Some of the silly sheep got caught fast in a tangle215 of chaparral this morning, like flies in a spider’s web, and had to be helped out. Carlo found them and tried to drive them from the trap by the easiest way. How far above sheep are intelligent dogs! No friend[Pg 60] and helper can be more affectionate and constant than Carlo. The noble St. Bernard is an honor to his race.
The air is distinctly fragrant216 with balsam and resin183 and mint,—every breath of it a gift we may well thank God for. Who could ever guess that so rough a wilderness should yet be so fine, so full of good things. One seems to be in a majestic domed217 pavilion in which a grand play is being acted with scenery and music and incense,—all the furniture and action so interesting we are in no danger of being called on to endure one dull moment. God himself seems to be always doing his best here, working like a man in a glow of enthusiasm.
June 21. Sauntered along the river-bank to my lily gardens. The perfection of beauty in these lilies of the wilderness is a never-ending source of admiration and wonder. Their rhizomes are set in black mould accumulated in hollows of the metamorphic slates beside the pools, where they are well watered without being subjected to flood action. Every leaf in the level whorls around the tall polished stalks is as finely finished as the petals218, and the light and heat required are measured for them and tempered in passing through the branches of over-leaning trees. However strong the[Pg 61] winds from the noon rainstorms, they are securely sheltered. Beautiful hypnum carpets bordered with ferns are spread beneath them, violets too, and a few daisies. Everything around them sweet and fresh like themselves.
Cloudland to-day is only a solitary white mountain; but it is so enriched with sunshine and shade, the tones of color on its big domed head and bossy outbulging ridges, and in the hollows and ravines between them, are ineffably219 fine.
June 22. Unusually cloudy. Besides the periodical shower-bearing cumuli there is a thin, diffused220, fog-like cloud overhead. About .75 in all.
June 23. Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, inciting221 at once to work and rest! Days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. Nevermore, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the blessings222 of one mountain day; whatever his fate, long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever.
June 24. Our regular allowance of clouds and thunder. Shepherd Billy is in a peck of trouble about the sheep; he declares that they are possessed with more of the evil one than any other flock from the beginning of the[Pg 62] invention of mutton and wool to the last batch223 of it. No matter how many are missing, he will not, he says, go a step to seek them, because, as he reasons, while getting back one wanderer he would probably lose ten. Therefore runaway203 hunting must be Carlo’s and mine. Billy’s little dog Jack224 is also giving trouble by leaving camp every night to visit his neighbors up the mountain at Brown’s Flat. He is a common-looking cur of no particular breed, but tremendously enterprising in love and war. He has cut all the ropes and leather straps225 he has been tied with, until his master in desperation, after climbing the brushy mountain again and again to drag him back, fastened him with a pole attached to his collar under his chin at one end, and to a stout sapling at the other. But the pole gave good leverage226, and by constant twisting during the night, the fastening at the sapling end was chafed227 off, and he set out on his usual journey, dragging the pole through the brush, and reached the Indian settlement in safety. His master followed, and making no allowance, gave him a beating, and swore in bad terms that next evening he would “fix that infatuated pup” by anchoring him unmercifully to the heavy cast-iron lid of our Dutch oven, weighing about as much as the dog. It was[Pg 63] linked directly to his collar close up under the chin, so that the poor fellow seemed unable to stir. He stood quite discouraged until after dark, unable to look about him, or even to lie down unless he stretched himself out with his front feet across the lid, and his head close down between his paws. Before morning, however, Jack was heard far up the height howling Excelsior, cast-iron anchor to the contrary notwithstanding. He must have walked, or rather climbed, erect on his hind228 legs, clasping the heavy lid like a shield against his breast, a formidable iron-clad condition in which to meet his rivals. Next night, dog, pot-lid, and all, were tied up in an old bean-sack, and thus at last angry Billy gained the victory. Just before leaving home, Jack was bitten in the lower jaw110 by a rattlesnake, and for a week or so his head and neck were swollen229 to more than double the normal size; nevertheless he ran about as brisk and lively as ever, and is now completely recovered. The only treatment he got was fresh milk—a gallon or two at a time forcibly poured down his sore, poisoned throat.
June 25. Though only a sheep camp, this grand mountain hollow is home, sweet home, every day growing sweeter, and I shall be sorry to leave it. The lily gardens are safe as[Pg 64] yet from the trampling230 flock. Poor, dusty, raggedy, famishing creatures, I heartily231 pity them. Many a mile they must go every day to gather their fifteen or twenty tons of chaparral and grass.
June 26. Nuttall’s flowering dogwood makes a fine show when in bloom. The whole tree is then snowy white. The involucres are six to eight inches wide. Along the streams it is a good-sized tree thirty to fifty feet high, with a broad head when not crowded by companions. Its showy involucres attract a crowd of moths232, butterflies, and other winged people about it for their own and, I suppose, the tree’s advantage. It likes plenty of cool water, and is a great drinker like the alder, willow233, and cottonwood, and flourishes best on stream banks, though it often wanders far from streams in damp shady glens beneath the pines, where it is much smaller. When the leaves ripen234 in the fall, they become more beautiful than the flowers, displaying charming tones of red, purple, and lavender. Another species grows in abundance as a chaparral shrub on the shady sides of the hills, probably Cornus sessilis. The leaves are eaten by the sheep.—Heard a few lightning strokes in the distance, with rumbling235, mumbling236 reverberations.[Pg 65]
June 27. The beaked237 hazel (Corylus rostrata, var. Californica) is common on cool slopes up toward the summit of the Pilot Peak Ridge. There is something peculiarly attractive in the hazel, like the oaks and heaths of the cool countries of our forefathers238, and through them our love for these plants has, I suppose, been transmitted. This species is four or five feet high, leaves soft and hairy, grateful to the touch, and the delicious nuts are eagerly gathered by Indians and squirrels. The sky as usual adorned239 with white noon clouds.
June 28. Warm, mellow240 summer. The glowing sunbeams make every nerve tingle241. The new needles of the pines and firs are nearly full grown and shine gloriously. Lizards are glinting about on the hot rocks; some that live near the camp are more than half tame. They seem attentive242 to every movement on our part, as if curious to simply look on without suspicion of harm, turning their heads to look back, and making a variety of pretty gestures. Gentle, guileless creatures with beautiful eyes, I shall be sorry to leave them when we leave camp.
June 29. I have been making the acquaintance of a very interesting little bird that flits about the falls and rapids of the main branches[Pg 66] of the river. It is not a water-bird in structure, though it gets its living in the water, and never leaves the streams. It is not web-footed, yet it dives fearlessly into deep swirling rapids, evidently to feed at the bottom, using its wings to swim with under water just as ducks and loons do. Sometimes it wades243 about in shallow places, thrusting its head under from time to time in a jerking, nodding, frisky244 way that is sure to attract attention. It is about the size of a robin159, has short crisp wings serviceable for flying either in water or air, and a tail of moderate size slanted245 upward, giving it, with its nodding, bobbing manners, a wrennish look. Its color is plain bluish ash, with a tinge246 of brown on the head and shoulders. It flies from fall to fall, rapid to rapid, with a solid whir of wing-beats like those of a quail247, follows the windings248 of the stream, and usually alights on some rock jutting249 up out of the current, or on some stranded250 snag, or rarely on the dry limb of an overhanging tree, perching like regular tree birds when it suits its convenience. It has the oddest, daintiest mincing251 manners imaginable; and the little fellow can sing too, a sweet, thrushy, fluty song, rather low, not the least boisterous252, and much less keen and accentuated253 than from its vigorous briskness255 one would be led to look for. What[Pg 67] a romantic life this little bird leads on the most beautiful portions of the streams, in a genial256 climate with shade and cool water and spray to temper the summer heat. No wonder it is a fine singer, considering the stream songs it hears day and night. Every breath the little poet draws is part of a song, for all the air about the rapids and falls is beaten into music, and its first lessons must begin before it is born by the thrilling and quivering of the eggs in unison257 with the tones of the falls. I have not yet found its nest, but it must be near the streams, for it never leaves them.
June 30. Half cloudy, half sunny, clouds lustrous258 white. The tall pines crowded along the top of the Pilot Peak Ridge look like six-inch miniatures exquisitely259 outlined on the satiny sky. Average cloudiness for the day about .25. No rain. And so this memorable260 month ends, a stream of beauty unmeasured, no more to be sectioned off by almanac arithmetic than sun-radiance or the currents of seas and rivers—a peaceful, joyful stream of beauty. Every morning, arising from the death of sleep, the happy plants and all our fellow animal creatures great and small, and even the rocks, seemed to be shouting, “Awake, awake, rejoice, rejoice, come love us and join in our song. Come! Come!” Looking back[Pg 68] through the stillness and romantic enchanting261 beauty and peace of the camp grove161, this June seems the greatest of all the months of my life, the most truly, divinely free, boundless262 like eternity263, immortal. Everything in it seems equally divine—one smooth, pure, wild glow of Heaven’s love, never to be blotted264 or blurred265 by anything past or to come.
July 1. Summer is ripe. Flocks of seeds are already out of their cups and pods seeking their predestined places. Some will strike root and grow up beside their parents, others flying on the wings of the wind far from them, among strangers. Most of the young birds are full feathered and out of their nests, though still looked after by both father and mother, protected and fed and to some extent educated. How beautiful the home life of birds! No wonder we all love them.
I like to watch the squirrels. There are two species here, the large California gray and the Douglas. The latter is the brightest of all the squirrels I have ever seen, a hot spark of life, making every tree tingle with his prickly toes, a condensed nugget of fresh mountain vigor254 and valor266, as free from disease as a sunbeam. One cannot think of such an animal ever being weary or sick. He seems to think the mountains belong to him, and at first tried[Pg 69] to drive away the whole flock of sheep as well as the shepherd and dogs. How he scolds, and what faces he makes, all eyes, teeth, and whiskers! If not so comically small, he would indeed be a dreadful fellow. I should like to know more about his bringing up, his life in the home knot-hole, as well as in the tree-tops, throughout all seasons. Strange that I have not yet found a nest full of young ones. The Douglas is nearly allied267 to the red squirrel of the Atlantic slope, and may have been distributed to this side of the continent by way of the great unbroken forests of the north.
The California gray is one of the most beautiful, and, next to the Douglas, the most interesting of our hairy neighbors. Compared with the Douglas he is twice as large, but far less lively and influential268 as a worker in the woods and he manages to make his way through leaves and branches with less stir than his small brother. I have never heard him bark at anything except our dogs. When in search of food he glides silently from branch to branch, examining last year’s cones, to see whether some few seeds may not be left between the scales, or gleans269 fallen ones among the leaves on the ground, since none of the present season’s crop is yet available. His tail floats now behind him, now above him, level[Pg 70] or gracefully270 curled like a wisp of cirrus cloud, every hair in its place, clean and shining and radiant as thistle-down in spite of rough, gummy work. His whole body seems about as unsubstantial as his tail. The little Douglas is fiery271, peppery, full of brag272 and fight and show, with movements so quick and keen they almost sting the onlooker273, and the harlequin gyrating show he makes of himself turns one giddy to see. The gray is shy, and oftentimes stealthy in his movements, as if half expecting an enemy in every tree and bush, and back of every log, wishing only to be let alone apparently274, and manifesting no desire to be seen or admired or feared. The Indians hunt this species for food, a good cause for caution, not to mention other enemies—hawks, snakes, wild cats. In woods where food is abundant they wear paths through sheltering thickets275 and over prostrate276 trees to some favorite pool where in hot and dry weather they drink at nearly the same hour every day. These pools are said to be narrowly watched, especially by the boys, who lie in ambush277 with bow and arrow, and kill without noise. But, in spite of enemies, squirrels are happy fellows, forest favorites, types of tireless life. Of all Nature’s wild beasts, they seem to me the wildest. May we come to know each other better.[Pg 71]
The chaparral-covered hill-slope to the south of the camp, besides furnishing nesting-places for countless merry birds, is the home and hiding-place of the curious wood rat (Neotoma), a handsome, interesting animal, always attracting attention wherever seen. It is more like a squirrel than a rat, is much larger, has delicate, thick, soft fur of a bluish slate color, white on the belly278; ears large, thin, and translucent; eyes soft, full, and liquid; claws slender, sharp as needles; and as his limbs are strong, he can climb about as well as a squirrel. No rat or squirrel has so innocent a look, is so easily approached, or expresses such confidence in one’s good intentions. He seems too fine for the thorny279 thickets he inhabits, and his hut also is as unlike himself as may be, though softly furnished inside. No other animal inhabitant of these mountains builds houses so large and striking in appearance. The traveler coming suddenly upon a group of them for the first time will not be likely to forget them. They are built of all kinds of sticks, old rotten pieces picked up anywhere, and green prickly twigs280 bitten from the nearest bushes, the whole mixed with miscellaneous odds281 and ends of everything movable, such as bits of cloddy earth, stones, bones, deerhorn, etc., piled up in a conical mass as if it were got ready for burning. Some of[Pg 72] these curious cabins are six feet high and as wide at the base, and a dozen or more of them are occasionally grouped together, less perhaps for the sake of society than for advantages of food and shelter. Coming through the dense shaggy thickets of some lonely hillside, the solitary explorer happening into one of these strange villages is startled at the sight, and may fancy himself in an Indian settlement, and begin to wonder what kind of reception he is likely to get. But no savage face will he see, perhaps not a single inhabitant, or at most two or three seated on top of their wigwams, looking at the stranger with the mildest of wild eyes, and allowing a near approach. In the centre of the rough spiky282 hut a soft nest is made of the inner fibres of bark chewed to tow, and lined with feathers and the down of various seeds, such as willow and milkweed. The delicate creature in its prickly, thick-walled home suggests a tender flower in a thorny involucre. Some of the nests are built in trees thirty or forty feet from the ground, and even in garrets, as if seeking the company and protection of man, like swallows and linnets, though accustomed to the wildest solitude283. Among housekeepers284 Neotoma has the reputation of a thief, because he carries away everything transportable to his queer hut,—knives, forks, combs,[Pg 73] nails, tin cups, spectacles, etc.,—merely, however, to strengthen his fortifications, I guess. His food at home, as far as I have learned, is nearly the same as that of the squirrels,—nuts, berries, seeds, and sometimes the bark and tender shoots of the various species of ceanothus.
July 2. Warm, sunny day, thrilling plant and animals and rocks alike, making sap and blood flow fast, and making every particle of the crystal mountains throb178 and swirl139 and dance in glad accord like star-dust. No dullness anywhere visible or thinkable. No stagnation285, no death. Everything kept in joyful rhythmic286 motion in the pulses of Nature’s big heart.
Pearl cumuli over the higher mountains—clouds, not with a silver lining287, but all silver. The brightest, crispest, rockiest-looking clouds, most varied in features and keenest in outline I ever saw at any time of year in any country. The daily building and unbuilding of these snowy cloud-ranges—the highest Sierra—is a prime marvel86 to me, and I gaze at the stupendous white domes, miles high, with ever fresh admiration. But in the midst of these sky and mountain affairs a change of diet is pulling us down. We have been out of bread a few days, and begin to miss it more than seems reason[Pg 74]able for we have plenty of meat and sugar and tea. Strange we should feel food-poor in so rich a wilderness. The Indians put us to shame, so do the squirrels,—starchy roots and seeds and bark in abundance, yet the failure of the meal sack disturbs our bodily balance, and threatens our best enjoyments288.
July 3. Warm. Breeze just enough to sift148 through the woods and waft289 fragrance from their thousand fountains. The pine and fir cones are growing well, resin and balsam dripping from every tree, and seeds are ripening290 fast, promising291 a fine harvest. The squirrels will have bread. They eat all kinds of nuts long before they are ripe, and yet never seem to suffer in stomach.
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1
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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nibbled
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| v.啃，一点一点地咬（吃）( nibble的过去式和过去分词 )；啃出（洞），一点一点咬出（洞）；慢慢减少；小口咬 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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converging
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| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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frond
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| n.棕榈类植物的叶子 | |
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cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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glands
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| n.腺( gland的名词复数 ) | |
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secrete
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| vt.分泌；隐匿，使隐秘 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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spicy
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| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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mantles
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| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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cascading
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| 流注( cascade的现在分词 )； 大量落下； 大量垂悬； 梯流 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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glides
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| n.滑行( glide的名词复数 )；滑音；音渡；过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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glandular
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| adj.腺体的 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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bossy
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| adj.爱发号施令的，作威作福的 | |
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cascades
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| 倾泻( cascade的名词复数 )； 小瀑布（尤指一连串瀑布中的一支）； 瀑布状物； 倾泻（或涌出）的东西 | |
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ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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46
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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47
sketching
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| n.草图 | |
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48
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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49
petal
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| n.花瓣 | |
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50
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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51
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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52
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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53
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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54
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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55
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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56
hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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57
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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58
wilting
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| 萎蔫 | |
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59
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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60
knotty
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| adj.有结的，多节的，多瘤的，棘手的 | |
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61
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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62
wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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63
acorns
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| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
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64
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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65
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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66
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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67
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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68
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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69
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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70
immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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71
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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72
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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73
domes
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| n.圆屋顶( dome的名词复数 )；像圆屋顶一样的东西；圆顶体育场 | |
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74
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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75
botanist
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| n.植物学家 | |
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76
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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78
overlapping
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| adj./n.交迭（的） | |
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79
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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80
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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81
veins
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|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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82
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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83
panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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84
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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85
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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86
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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87
scotch
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|
| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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88
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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89
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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90
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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91
lichened
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| adj.长满地衣的，长青苔的 | |
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92
bask
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| vt.取暖，晒太阳，沐浴于 | |
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93
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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94
appendages
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| n.附属物( appendage的名词复数 )；依附的人；附属器官；附属肢体（如臂、腿、尾等） | |
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95
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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96
sprouting
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| v.发芽( sprout的现在分词 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出 | |
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97
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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98
pounce
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| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
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99
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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100
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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101
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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102
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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103
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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104
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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105
wasps
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| 黄蜂( wasp的名词复数 )； 胡蜂； 易动怒的人； 刻毒的人 | |
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106
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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107
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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108
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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109
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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110
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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111
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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112
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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113
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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114
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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115
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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116
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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118
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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119
gnaw
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| v.不断地啃、咬；使苦恼，折磨 | |
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120
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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121
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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122
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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123
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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124
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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125
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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126
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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127
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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128
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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129
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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130
detritus
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| n.碎石 | |
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131
tributaries
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| n. 支流 | |
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132
boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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133
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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134
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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135
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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136
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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137
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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138
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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139
swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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140
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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141
furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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143
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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144
mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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145
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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146
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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147
alder
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| n.赤杨树 | |
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148
sift
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| v.筛撒，纷落，详察 | |
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149
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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150
translucent
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| adj.半透明的；透明的 | |
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151
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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152
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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153
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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154
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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155
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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156
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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157
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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158
robins
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| n.知更鸟，鸫( robin的名词复数 )；（签名者不分先后，以避免受责的）圆形签名抗议书（或请愿书） | |
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159
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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160
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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161
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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162
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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163
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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164
cones
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| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
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165
cylindrical
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| adj.圆筒形的 | |
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166
tapered
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|
| adj. 锥形的，尖削的，楔形的，渐缩的，斜的 动词taper的过去式和过去分词 | |
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167
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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168
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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169
tassel
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| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
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170
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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171
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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172
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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173
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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174
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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175
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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176
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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177
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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178
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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179
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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180
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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181
fiber
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| n.纤维，纤维质 | |
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182
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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183
resin
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| n.树脂，松香，树脂制品；vt.涂树脂 | |
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184
sequoia
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| n.红杉 | |
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185
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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186
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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187
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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188
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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189
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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190
stilts
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| n.（支撑建筑物高出地面或水面的）桩子，支柱( stilt的名词复数 )；高跷 | |
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191
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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192
riddling
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| adj.谜一样的，解谜的n.筛选 | |
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193
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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194
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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195
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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196
slates
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| （旧时学生用以写字的）石板( slate的名词复数 )； 板岩； 石板瓦； 石板色 | |
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197
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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198
hoofed
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| adj.有蹄的，蹄形状的，装蹄的v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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199
locusts
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| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
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200
radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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201
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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202
runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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203
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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204
auroral
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| adj.曙光的；玫瑰色的 | |
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205
corona
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| n.日冕 | |
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206
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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207
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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208
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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209
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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210
fluffy
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| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
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211
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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212
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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213
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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214
swirls
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| n.旋转( swirl的名词复数 )；卷状物；漩涡；尘旋v.旋转，打旋( swirl的第三人称单数 ) | |
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215
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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216
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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217
domed
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| adj. 圆屋顶的, 半球形的, 拱曲的 动词dome的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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218
petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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219
ineffably
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| adv.难以言喻地，因神圣而不容称呼地 | |
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220
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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221
inciting
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| 刺激的，煽动的 | |
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222
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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223
batch
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| n.一批(组，群)；一批生产量 | |
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224
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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225
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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226
leverage
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| n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量 | |
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227
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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228
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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229
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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230
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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231
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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232
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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233
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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234
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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235
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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236
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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237
beaked
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| adj.有喙的，鸟嘴状的 | |
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238
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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239
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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240
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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241
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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242
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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243
wades
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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244
frisky
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| adj.活泼的，欢闹的；n.活泼，闹着玩；adv.活泼地，闹着玩地 | |
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245
slanted
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| 有偏见的； 倾斜的 | |
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246
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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247
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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248
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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249
jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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250
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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251
mincing
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| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
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252
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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253
accentuated
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| v.重读( accentuate的过去式和过去分词 )；使突出；使恶化；加重音符号于 | |
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254
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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255
briskness
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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256
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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257
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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258
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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259
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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260
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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261
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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262
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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263
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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264
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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265
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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266
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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267
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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268
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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269
gleans
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| v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的第三人称单数 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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270
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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271
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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272
brag
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| v./n.吹牛，自夸；adj.第一流的 | |
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273
onlooker
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| n.旁观者，观众 | |
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274
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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275
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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276
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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277
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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278
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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279
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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280
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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281
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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282
spiky
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| adj.长而尖的，大钉似的 | |
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283
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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284
housekeepers
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| n.（女）管家( housekeeper的名词复数 ) | |
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285
stagnation
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| n. 停滞 | |
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286
rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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287
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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288
enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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289
waft
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| v.飘浮，飘荡；n.一股；一阵微风；飘荡 | |
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290
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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291
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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