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Austin Nevada, Aug 5th, 1878. Dear Doctor Your kind note of the 22th was received the other day your discussion of fruits?
the f illegible ness in general of civilized things takes me at some little disadvantage. From the Switch we rode to the old
f illegible Churchhill on the Carson at the Upper lower end of Mason Valley was delighted to find the illegible Outlet of
Walker lake down through a very picturesque Canon to its Confluence with the Carson. it appears therefore that not only the
Humboldt Carson but the Walker River also poured its waters into the Great Sink towards the end of the Glacial Period. From
Fort Churchhill we pushed Eastward between Carson Lake The Sink, Boo how hot it was riding in the solemn silent glare, shadeless
waterless, Here is what the early emigrants called the 40 mile desert well marked with bones broken wagons. Strange how the
very sunshine may become dreary. How strange a spell this region custs over poor mortals accustomed to shade coolness green
fertility. yet there is no real cause that I could see for reasonable beings losing their wits becoming frightened. There
are the lonely tender Abronias blooming in the ferrid sand sun a species of sun flower a curious legume illegible bush crowded
with purple blossoms, a green Saltwart four or five sp illegible of Art illegible really beautiful, three or four handsome
grasses, Lizard reveled in the in margin: Im sure I showed my appreciation of good things. That s a fine suggestion about
the grapes Try me doctor on illegible illegible Tokings. Cordially Yrs John Muir 00804