The Birds’ Calendar 

and fragrance are of little account in comparison 
with the all-important questions, ‘‘ Is it exog- 
enous or endogenous—is it monopetalous or 
polypetalous?’’ Should they chance to behold 
a rich display of autumn foliage, they at once fall 
to inquiring whether it is an evidence of decay 
produced by the action of frost, or the legiti- 
mate ripening of the chlorophyl ; or with great 
satisfaction assert the latest dictum of science on 
that point. To thema rare crystal means a 
certain mathematical form and cleavage; while 
the gorgeous coloring of sunset clouds is chiefly 
a neat illustration of the absorption of certain 
prismatic rays by the dense lower stratum of air. 
Such folks are cold-blooded analysts, and they 
have their place. ‘Taken in small doses they are 
very instructive, but as constant companions 
they are wearing. 
) 
By the close of the month the landscape had 
that peculiar unkempt appearance of fall, as of 
an old man beginning to look untidy. In the 
Ramble and elsewhere, the bloom was almost 
confined to the masses of composite flowers, 
white, and purple, and yellow, that run riot 
among the trees, in defiance of all rules of land- 
268 
