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####$%†«-.             the alvar fields             .-«†%$####
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####$%†«-. from  north   to   south,   thirty   odd .-«†%$####
####$%†«-. kilometers.  from  west  to  east,  four .-«†%$####
#$%††-.... thousand meters. from  topsoil to stone, ....-††%$#
#$$†--.... a  foot or two. no roots can fester,  no ....--†$$#
#%†«......             dust can linger.             ......«†%#
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####$%†«-. here  is  earth,  clay,  and sturdy  low .-«†%$####
####$%†«-. plants.  bushes  frame  the  strip.  the .-«†%$####
##$$†««... earth  is bare  in patches  as  large as ...««†$$##
####$%†«-.                you and me.               .-«†%$####
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#%%†††«--. cross  it  to get to the ocean, or don't .--«†††%%#
####$%†«-.          to stay where you are.          .-«†%$####
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