CONTENTMENT IN NATURE. 47 



my finger and gazed at me with that "cold, 

 stony glare" of the serpent which, in larger rep- 

 tiles, is often said by pseudo-naturalists to fas- 

 cinate our smaller birds and mammals. After a 

 time I released it and watched it escape, as 

 would an angle-worm, by burrowing its way into 

 the dry soil. What strength of muscle, what 

 elasticity and ease of movement even our small- 

 est snakes possess ! 



To-day the sounds of crow, of nicker, of zebra 

 bird, of red-eyed vireo, of dog-day locust, of 

 humming mosquito, of buzzing fly and gnat 

 all break the silence of the air about me. All 

 are resonant with that key-note of satisfaction, 

 of contentment, which most of the lower forms 

 of animal life ever seem to possess. Of all ani- 

 mals, man is the most commonly dissatisfied. 

 He alone strives to store up wealth other 

 things than a sufficiency of food, shelter and 

 clothing. The lower forms have to look out only 

 for two of these food and shelter. Given 

 these and, at certain periods, a mate for the per- 

 petuation of their kind, and they go through life 

 content. Is man more civilized, happier, better, 



