174 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 
the golden blossoms of the Broom, which, 
however, while Gorse and Heather continue ~ 
in bloom for months, “blazes for a week or 
two, and is then completely extinguished, like 
a fire that has burnt itself out.” ? 
In summer the tints grow darker, the birds 
are more numerous and full of life; the air 
teems with insects, with the busy murmur of 
bees and the idle hum of flies, while the cool 
of morning and evening, and the heat of the 
day, are all alike delicious. 
As the year advances and the flowers wane, 
we have many beautiful fruits and berries, 
the red hips and haws of the wild roses, 
scarlet holly berries, crimson yew cups, the 
translucent berries of the Guelder Rose, 
hanging coral beads of the Black Bryony, 
feathery festoons of the Traveller’s Joy, and 
others less conspicuous, but still exquisite in 
themselves — acorns, beech nuts, ash keys, and 
many more. It is really difficult to say which 
are most beautiful, the tender greens of spring 
or the rich tints of autumn, which glow so 
brightly in the sunshine. 
1 Hamerton. 
