CHAPTER IV. 



WINTER TENANTS OF OUR TREES. 



The stream at this point entered the sdge of the wood, 

 cutting its way through by a glen or ravine, on one side 

 of wliich the land rose gradually, on the other rather 

 abruptly. Both sides were covered with bushes and a 

 young growth of trees, whose branches spread above the 

 run, forming in summer time a dense shade, within 

 which and the shadow of the rocks that jutted into the 

 stream grew numbers of tall ferns. 



" On the skirts of this wood," I said, " we should find 

 cocoons and crysalids of the Lepidoptera — moths and 

 butterflies — in abundance. Let us search these young 

 oak trees. I dare say we shall see something interest- 

 ing," I had already caught a view of several of the 

 objects for which we were now looking — the winter 

 tenants of our trees^jut waited for my companion to 

 observe for herself. Tliere is a special pleasure in the 

 consciousness of original discovery, and a sense of per- 

 sonal proprietorship which adds much to the interest 

 with which the mind regards things. One's own find- 

 ings are, therefore, the most fruitful in thought, acd the 

 best texts for instruction. I had not long to wait ; 



Abby's mind was quite intent upon the search, and soon 



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