apple," was old and brown — a deserted dwelling place. There was 

 the small hole through which the inmate had escaped. Opening 

 the other, a bullet gall, I found a fat little larva inside. No wonder 

 he looked well cared for. He did not have to work for a living. 

 His house had grown to accommodate him, and there was j^lentj of 

 food within. 



I wrote a brief description of the two galls, made note of the 

 date and the place and took the specimens with mo for further 

 study. I wish the Naturalists would do the same. 



* * -x- 



As I was leaving the woods a breeze began to blow. The rain 

 ceased. Heavy dark clouds moved over the sky. Some belated 

 seed-travelers were swept along the path in front of me. The tea- 

 sels swayed back and forth — a way they have of slinging their fruit. 

 I delighted in the new aspect of the field. There was nothing grim 



about it. 



"More welcome than voluptuous gales 



This keen, crisp air, as conscience clear; 

 November breathes no flattering tales, 



The plain truth-teller of the year. 

 Who wins her heart and he alone 

 Knows she has sweetness all her own." 



SOMETHING ABOUT GALLS. 



A gall is the snug little dwelling-place of an insect. You will 

 think it very snug when you find one. Usually this small house 

 grows about the larva as soon as it begins to feed on the plant, and 

 a gall is formed instead of a perfect leaf or stem or branch. Know- 

 ing that our boys and girls will enjoy finding some of these interest- 

 ing houses, I shall speak of them. 



You know that a willow is a well-behaved tree, particularly the 

 pretty little one that seems to love the stream ; yet you will some- 

 times find it bearing cones when you do not expect it to bear any- 

 thing but " pussies." Open one of these cones, and see whether the 

 little tree has a good excuse for its strange conduct. 



On the sweet briar rose bush you will find a round, spiny tene- 



442 



