* In patches: This indicates that the exposed soil is not a continuous expanse, but rather scattered in irregular areas.
* Soil laid bare: This means the soil is uncovered and visible, likely due to something having been removed.
* By melt: This suggests that the thing that uncovered the soil was something that melted, most likely snow or ice.
* That had brought them there: This refers to whatever was on top of the soil and is now gone due to the melting. This "them" likely refers to things like debris, rocks, or even vegetation that were covered by the snow or ice.
Overall Meaning:
The phrase describes a landscape where patches of soil are exposed after snow or ice melted, revealing what was previously buried underneath. This suggests a process of change and exposure, perhaps in a mountainous or polar region.
