The record-union., 1891-07-13

She grasped vainly at her large hat,
which the wind whirled into the road,
where rescued it a moment later. The
wind was blowing hard from the south.
1.-The Buttes are peculiar feature of
this scenery" observed. ''They rise so
abruptly from the plains."
That gives them their name" returned
Miss Marion. 'The old Indian legend is
that the Great Spirit set the Sierra Nevada
i'll place, and when carrying the Coast
Range across the State dropped off a
piece-the Buttes."
''Is the geologic reason so romantic 2"
/ inquired.
More probable; the Sacramento and
San Joaquin Valleys were a great inland
sea that finally burst its way through by
washing out a mountain at the Golden
Gate. The Buttes may have been
Islands, or they may have been thrown
up after the sea became dry. It is GER
tain, however, that fine specimens of
! fossil shells are found in the Buttes.
Large clam shells are found embedded in
| the rock.''
And these mountains, with such a
history, are put to no use?''
only for grazing. AS you see, there
is no foliage on their sides. Many be-
lieve that good coal may be found at a
certain depth. The coal found is very
much like that from Mt. Diablo. Some
search is now going on for potters' clay.
| They say we shall some day Manufacture
the best crockery in the State at tho
! Buttes.'
While we were talking the mist en-
wrapped the Buttes until we could make
out only the outlines.
You need not worry, it won't rain,"
said Miss Marion.
A sudden thought struck me. Hooked
under the buggy seat, but could not find
my Botanical Guide" | must have left
! n fph of flo fxyiyec
Gus.
Miss Marion" said I, ''would you OBJ
! ject TO going home by way of the berry
| patch? 1t seems the only way 1 can re-
cover the book, which l can not afford to
| lose"
As she expressed her willingness, we
drove through the open field, then
! through the willowy field. the 1.-the
growth bending under the horses feet.
| AS we entered the shaded drive the woods
seemed very dark, and the clouds were
/ lowering.
1t did not take long to reach the spot
where I thought the Guide must be.
IN spite Of the climate. My buggy has
no top.
Did you bring any wrap" asked.
What | wear,' replied Miss Marion
resignedly. Her jacket was heavy, and
! put the heavy lap robe carefully around
! her.
"If we could get out by going through
this field it would certainly save as some
distance" 1 said. The gate to the field
stood open.
Let Us tIy,'' said she.
I'VE drove to the bottom Of the field.
1t was inclosed by stake and rider
/ fence. The horse stopped under heavy
! cottonwOods that partially protected us
! from the rain that now came heavily.
! 'Ne'u wait q moment till the shower is
over" she said.
''Then you think it is only a shower?'
"Assuredly; it viii soon be oyeP.''
We sat waiting, and the rain came
/ harder every moment. The trees leaked
] badly. l backed the horseiinto better
| place, and still the rain fell.
Had not we better go?" l at length
suggested
"Yes, though think it will soon be
over.'
We drove back to the patch and tried
TO find shelter by backing the horse
| against a tall alder. We were really get
ting wet.
Perhaps we had better start. The
rain is falling only lightly"
We drove through the long, dripping
line OF trees, which rained accumulated
drops upon us. We were hardly out
upon the good road when the rain began
! again. 1t came in earneSt-a perfect
downpour. We were still seven or eight
miles from her home, Miss Marion
said, and the rain was coming harder.
! After time there was slight cessation,
and we hurried on.
As we neared town the heavy rainfall
commenced again. Miss Marion had
ceased to apologize for the climate. Il
can't remember year that has not been
called 'unusual,'" she said. People
have not lived in California long enough
to see the length of her panorama. They
can't grow accustomed to her Variety
Are you comfortable?" | asked.
Pm very wet, but not chilly; l am
taking long breaths to keep warm,'' she
said, bravely.
BY the time / had left Miss Marion at
| her home and reached my boarding
place, / was thoroughly wet Being a
believer in hydropathy, I anticipated nc
bad effect from the douche.
The next morning l awoke with a
binding headache and a peculiar sensa-
! ton OF having been rubbed with hop
leaves. l tried to open my eyes, but
failed. Stumbling to the wash-stand |
bathed my eyes until | could open them
slightly, and saw in the glass how swol-
len they were. My face was very red.
looking as il | had broken out with The
| measles. My hands were no better, and
the itching was intense.
When l presented myself below stairs
/ a dozen remedies were recommended
sugar Of lead, ammonia, soda and salt
peter water Were among the lot. Ii
seemed that | had taken cold in my face.
and for two weeks l had a severe time
and presented a most interesting specta-
Gle.
My observations on the Rhus toric,ts
have not yet been put in shape for my
forthcoming book California Biology
and | am but just able to report myself
But still contend that nothing should
stand in the way when one is in pursuit
Of scientific ends. q. B. BUM, b. S.