The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits

The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits

Toward the end of our long cloudless summer, after most other flowers have stolen away, Mother Nature marshals her great order of Composit for a last rally; and they come as welcome visitants to fill the places of our vanished summer friends. Asters and goldenrods, grindelias, lessingias, and the numerous tarweeds, with their cheerful blossoms, relieve the sober browns of sun-dried hill-slopes and meadows, or fringe with color our roadsides and salt marshes. But even these late-comers weary after a time, and one by one disappear, till there comes a season when, without flowers, Nature seems to be humbled in sackcloth and ashes. The dust lies thick upon roadside trees, a haze hangs like a veil in the air, and the sun beats down with fierce, continued glare. As this wears on day after day, a certain vague expectancy creeps gradually over the face of thingsa rapt, mysterious aspect, foreboding change. One day there is a telltale clarity in the atmosphere. Later, the sky darkens by degrees, and a dull, leaden hue spreads over the vault of heaven. Nature[ xlviii] mourns, and would weep. Her heart is full to bursting; still the tears come not. The winds spring up and blow freshly over the parched land. A few hard-wrung drops begin to fall, and at length there closes down a thoroughgoing shower. The flood-gates are opened at last; the long tension is over, and we breathe freely once more. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 38886
Author: Parsons, Mary Elizabeth
Release Date: Feb 15, 2012
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Illustrator: Buck, Margaret Warriner