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the stream carries not only the fertilizer for the soil but the soil itself.  From the Grand Cañon to the mouth of the river a rough computation gives a general average of something over two feet of fall to the mile.  Added to this velocity the nature of the soil throughout the entire course of the river is such as to keep it constantly thick with organic matter, turbid with the shifting sands it ceaselessly carries, hence its name of Colorado from the color of its waters.

In its downward course to the sea it may be said to be playing a game of shuttlecock between its banks by constantly changing its current with deposits of soil taken from one to be given to the other, a sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

As the soil accumulates on one side while the river recedes toward the other it becomes fecundated with the debris deposited thereon by the receding water and gradually, on each side of the stream, a belt of small oases is formed which disappears and re-appears again with time in the endless game of “Now you see me and now you don’t” which this most remarkable river has been playing silently through countless ages.

Hence, properly speaking and considered from a permanent point of view, the “Forestry” of the Colorado Valley, from of the Grand Cañon to the Gulf of California - a few islands and a small belt on each side of the stream at irregular intervals excepted - may be said to be notable only by its total absence.

The growth of these islands and river oases, taken as evanescent and transitory in its general character, will now be considered.

Forestry, proper, of the Colorado Valley.

First in order comes the scanty vegetation of the day, sandy and gravelly sides of the basin between the river bottoms and the base of the mountain ranges forming the apex or upper edge.

This is composed of the "Larrea Mexicana” the "Echinocactus cylindraceus"