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Kimes Entry Number
033
Original Date
12-1-1874
Publication
The Overland Monthly, v. 13, no. 6
Page/Column
pp. 530-540
Recommended Citation
Muir, John, "Studies in the Sierra. No. VI. - Formation of Soils." (1874). John Muir: A Reading Bibliography by Kimes (Muir articles 1866-1986). 86.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmb/86
William and Maymie Kimes Annotation
""Nature has plowed the Sierra flanks more than a mile deep through lava, slate, and granite thus giving rise to a most lavish abundance of fruitful soils."" Muir discusses the formation of soils by glaciers, avalanches, and bogs, and concludes that ""the various Sierra soil beds vividly bring before the mind the noble implements employed by Nature in their creation. The meadow recalls the still lake, the bowlder delta, the gray booming torrent, the rugged talus, the majestic avalanche, and the moraine reveals the mighty glaciers silently spreading soil upon a thousand mountains."" Illustrated with pen sketches.