20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THOREAU. 



says, &quot; They have brave names, too, Ambrosia, Stel- 

 laria, Amelanchier, Amaranth, etc.&quot; 



I think his fancy for referring everything to the 

 meridian of Concord did not grow out of any igno 

 rance or depreciation of other longitudes or latitudes, 

 but was rather a playful expression of his conviction 

 of the indiiferency of all places, and that the best 

 place for each is where he stands. He expressed it 

 once in this wise : &quot; I think nothing is to be hoped 

 from you, if this bit of mould under your feet is not 

 sweeter to you to eat than any other in this world, or 

 in any world.&quot; 



The other weapon with which he conquered all ob 

 stacles in science was patience. He knew how to sit 

 immovable a part of the rock he rested on until 

 the bird, the reptile, the fish, which had retired from 

 him, should come back and resume its habits, nay, 

 moved by curiosity, should come to him and watch 

 him. 



It was a pleasure and a privilege to walk with him. 

 He knew the country like a fox or a bird, and passed 

 through it as freely by paths of his own. He knew 

 every track in the snow or on the ground, and what 

 creature had taken this path before him. One must 

 submit abjectly to such a guide, and the reward was 

 great. Under his arm he carried an old music-book 

 to press plants ; in his pocket, his diary and pencil, a 

 spy-glass for birds, microscope, jack-knife, and twine. 

 He wore straw hat, stout shoes, strong gray trousers 

 to brave shrub-oaks and smilax, and to climb a tree 

 for a hawk s or a squirrel s nest. He waded into the 

 pool for the water-plants, and his strong legs were no 

 insignificant part of his armor. On the day I speak 

 of he looked for the Menyanthes, detected it across 



