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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.
Characteristic View of the Mohave Desert in the Vicinity of the Fossil Beds. (Photograph by C. L. Baker.)
not alone for the desire of gain, but because the fascination of the desert always increases. The traveler is inevitably deeply influenced by the uncertain magnitude of distance, by the silence, and the unusual forms and brilliance of the landscape by day and night. Once an acquaintance is formed, distrust and fear are replaced by reverence of the quiet strength of nature exhibited here in factors which are too large or too elusive to be fully comprehended.
The Mohave lies in the middle of the southern half of the state of California, the desert proper being situated in the angle where the Sierras turn west to meet the Coast Ranges. The western limits of the
Characteristic View of the Mohave Desert; showing at this locality an unusual abundance of vegetation, consisting of creosote bushes and Joshua trees. (Photograph by C. L. Baker.)
