24 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



under the road, and in the grass by 

 the margin are winking bluets and 

 white violets. Clinging to earthy 

 stones and swaying about, now float- 

 ing, now wholly submerged, is the pun- 

 gent watercress, spreading its naked 

 roots to keep its balance. Iris and 

 arums are thrusting up their blades, 

 near the heart-leaved pickerel weed 

 and shining arrowhead. In compact 

 bunches, rank and lusty, are the ferns 

 that love wet ground, the various 

 Osmundas, with their fronds of rusty 

 spores. 



Go further yet into the wood; the 

 banks grow steep, the road winds 

 through a glen to the side of a narrow 

 river, which tumbles about restlessly 

 in its rocky bed. All that is pastoral 

 stops. The solemn hush of the forest 

 is irresistible: the characteristics of 

 the flowers and birds have changed; 



