The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-08-05


the Far North grow side by side with
others whose natural habitat Is many
miles south Of the lake, and the plant
life fs bewildering to the uninitiated
and a joy to the botanist. The conbi-
nation Of underlying sand and humus,
with abundant moisture, makes con-
.dttfon of soil that is ideal and the re-
suit is a 1uxuriant plant growth that
is almost tropical.
The dune-f1oor vegetation is more
striking than the arborescent growth,
and the wealth of herbaceous plant
life Is remarkable. Even on the ex-
posed lake beach and on newly
formed sand drifts pioneer plants are
constantly springtng up. Hardy
grasses, sea rockets, artemistas, sand
cherries and many others take advan-
tage Of the slightest opportunity, and
around these plants embryo dunes
form, which In time grow and join
the everchanging and fascinating pan
Drama Of dune succession.
AS soon as a slight covering of hu-
mus accunulates, possession is taken
by the stronger plant growth, and
bearberry, juniper, arrow woods and
sumacs soon fill up the vacant spaces,
preparing the way for the tree growth
that is waiting its turn.
The black oak is the most conspicu-
GUS tree Of the older dunes, but it Is
accompanied by many others, mostly
deciduous, although there are a few
evergreens and one other conifer-the
tamarack. Eastwood, poplars, tulip,
sassafras, JuneberTy, Towering dog
wood, white and gray pines and oc
casionally white oaks are all to be
and in the lower lands sour gum, red
maple, swamp whiteoak, pawpaw,
cherry and the larger sumacs grow
luxuriantly In the peaty soil
Over all the taller growth are scat
tered Graperies of vines, softening the
rigid outlines and adding their BIOS
SONS to the marvellous display.
The herbaceous plant life is even
more varied and wonderful Great
masses of bird 's-foot and other violets.
lupines, phlox of different colors, tril-
liums, waXy bells of wintergreen and
BURBERRY, hepaticas trailing arbutus
not just few flowers, but acres of
them and miles of acres-make natu-
raj paradise which cannot be arti-
ficially duplicated.
coloring in the Marshes.
The marshes have their own indi-
viduality of sedges, cat-tails, reeds,
and borders of the larger ferns-royal,
cinnamon, and the interrupted or
clayton. The Virginia chain fern in
one of the drier marshes crowds out
the less vigorous plant life, coloring
with its fertile fronds great stretches
of the marsh a beautiful sepia. The
blending of browns and green's in the
marshes softens the landscape to an
exquisite symphony of color in pleas
ing contrast to the more vivid color
ing of the higher land adjoining.
1t is In autumn, however, that the
dune coloration is at its best, for then
| the entire region becomes a f1aring
landscape of gorgeous reds and vel
lows. Nature goes into her winter
rest with last effort in color that
is beyond adequate description. The
sour gum, red maple, sumacs and
sassafras discard their modesty and
vie with each other in gorgeous riot
| of autumn coloring
Many of the trees and lesser shrubs
and other plants bear edible fruits,
providing a sumptuous larder for
hosts of birds and small animals. The
bird life of the region surrounding
the end of Lake Michigan Is very
abundant, and during migrations no
where in the United States are there
more varieties of both land and shore
birds to be seen than here.
The ruffed grouse, golden eagle,
horned owl and the great blue heron
still visit the dunes, and in wintertime
the evening grosbeak crossbills and
pine f1nches are attracted by the
wealth Of food
| OcOluSlCdiiy, llic uuucS d1IQ Ills
tinctly traceable old shorelines tell the
fascinating story of the glacial period
antedating Lake Michigan. The near
by universities bring their classes to
the dunes as most necessary object
lesson of their natural-science courses
Historically, also, the dunes have
their place in the earlier history Of
the West The old Indian trails can
still be pointed out, and 1t was
through the dunes that the pioneer
French found their way from Detroit
to the site of Chicago at the mouth
L q ha