90 LETTERS TO MARCO xiv 



waterproof, retain the rain-drops until they 

 are dispersed by evaporation. There are 

 many plants with beautiful, dull, bloom-like 

 surfaces on their leaves, like the cabbage, the 

 columbine, or the nasturtium, which seem to 

 be to a great extent waterproof. On these 

 the drops of rain accumulate and form brilliant 

 globules of water, though I cannot see the 

 possible advantage this arrangement affords 

 the plant. 



As to the rain, we have been in a state of 

 sop here for some time. The river has risen, 

 and everything looks sodden and miserable. 

 I actually did nothing in my garden for two 

 whole days. Yesterday, however, I - gave 

 some long-promised allowances of manure to 

 one or two plants and made them snug for 

 the winter, and in turning over the heaps I 

 disturbed an enormous fat toad, which I sup- 

 pose had there taken up his winter quarters. 

 I have two toads in my greenhouse. They 

 are most useful, keeping the place quite free 

 from woodlice, earwigs, ants, etc. Frogs, 



