INTRODUCTION. XV. 



is white. The mosses, however, claim our atten- 

 tion, some species covering the trimks of trees, 

 others walls, and often the roofs of buildings, to 

 which they impart that rich glossy green which is 

 so conspicuous in the season when the boughs are 

 bare of leaves. The bar]is and thatched outhouses 

 of our country, and of some of the moister climates 

 of the Netherlands, are often beautifully covered 

 with this green moss, while to the tiling and 

 slating of others the lichens impart a yellow hue. 



The amusements of this season are skating and 

 sliding when it is frosty ; feeding birds which 

 flock to our windows, a benevolent custom which 

 should be encouraged in children ; and in the 

 garden planting and sowing when the weather 

 permits. This season usually ends with very se- 

 vere weather, and the Christmas sports and gam- 

 bols, and New Year's gifts, and the children's plays 

 at Kingtide, usually occiu- when the ground is 

 covered with snow. The running a figure of 8 in 

 the snow is also a favourite pastime in the midst 

 of winter. Towards the close of January, the 

 Sun wending into the sign of ssf, and the brighter 

 beams watched for on St. Vincent's day, mark 

 the coming of the season next to be described. 



Calendar. — The Sundays, festivals, and holy 

 observances of this time of the year are very im- 

 portant, and deserve particular attention. 



The Presentation of our Lady, Nov. 



