The deep baying of hounds from its extensive kennels forms the only discordant note in the Valley, reminding one that even near to nature's heart man's inherent primitiveness asserts itself. If, when wandering in these woodland fastnesses, he (man) would hunt the wild creatures with a camera it would require greater patience, skill and acumen than making the ground wet with the blood of fawns and quail. [Illustration: Entering Bear Valley.] But "civilization has ever developed the physical and the intellectual at the expense of the psychic, the humane, and the spiritual." [Illustration: The Country Club.] Notwithstanding its small area, numerable excursions offer themselves to the ambitious tourist in Marin, while the diversity of its surface and climate, and the ease with which one can explore its remaining primeval stretches, make this tiny northern peninsula a necessary adjunct to San Francisco, which, with its ever-increasing population, needs an outlet for recreation, relaxation, and repose. [Illustration: Among the Ferns.] Moreover, as the other Bay counties are less rugged in formation, more inhabited, and consequently more conventional in appearance, true nature-lovers find an outing in Marin a solace and an inspiration. [Illustration: At the Trough.] A short distance from Bear Valley the road, after passing a stretch of low marsh-land covered with tules, reeds, and willows, comes suddenly to a sheet of water which at first sight appears to be an inland lake, so peaceful and protected are its waters. This is none other than Tomales Bay--a long, narrow inlet from the Ocean. At the base of the range of lofty hills which shelter it on the west is situated Inverness, the location of the tract of three thousand and three hundred acres which was recently sold, constituting, it is said, the largest single transaction in suburban lands ever made in this part of California, or in fact anywhere else in this State. It involved over half a million dollars, and is reputed to be the beginning of a new movement in Marin. [Illustration: Nearing Tomales Bay.] The land is to be divided for summer homes and cottages; and as the nearest station is Point Reyes, it is planned to operate a ferry across Tomales Bay, which would shorten the distance to the railroad where a new station is to be erected. Extensive plans are also on foot to extend the electric road from its present northern terminus at Fairfax to Inverness, and once that is accomplished, the new summer resort and suburban town will be brought within a little more than an hour's ride of San Francisco. Besides its many rural attractions there are more than six miles of sand beach at Inverness, and the tide on going out exposes the sand to the sun, which warms the water on its return, and insures delightful bathing during the summer. [Illustration: Tomales Bay.] [Illustration: Church of the Assumption, Tomales.]