A SUMMER'S DAY ON THE BROADS. 191 



species (Nuphar lutea) contrasts with the simple blossom, 

 of the water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis). Innu- 

 merable insects, everywhere swarming over the rank 

 vegetation, are beginning and ending their brief exist- 

 ence ; and twisting and twittering, till the eye tires of 

 watching their varied flight, sand-martins are feasting 

 amongst the gnats and midges, or at longer intervals 

 the skimming swallow snatches a hasty meal, and is 

 gone again to its mate and young in the chimney of the 

 broad-man's cottage. Though confusing enough at first, 

 the ear soon becomes accustomed to these incessant 

 notes, but like the tunes that escaped from Munchausen's 

 horn, when thawed by the fire, the merry medley of 

 those mingling sounds still rings in one's ears, for hours 

 after quitting the broads themselves. 



Thus far then we have taken what may be termed 

 an interior view of the broad, and have yet to ex- 

 plore the surrounding marshes. First, having finished 

 our noon-day meal and that post-prandial pipe, 

 never sweeter than on such occasions, let us land 

 on the nearest point likely to afford a tolerably firm 

 foundation. Be prepared, however, for a wet foot or 

 an even worse ducking, for the soil is treacherous 

 enough in places, and though one person may pass safely 

 over the quacking bog, the next may come to grief.* 

 Following a beaten path, leading round to the back of 

 the larger reed-beds, we find the marshes on this side 

 stretching down to the river, by no means easy walking 



* It is strange to observe how by constant habit, and an in- 

 stinctive knowledge of the thickness of the crust, a marsh-man 

 will walk in his heavy boots where a far lighter but inexperienced 

 man would break through at once. Each foot is carefully and 

 firmly placed, yet quickly and without hesitation the great object 

 being to keep moving, and thus though the swamp heaves like 

 billows under his feet, the broad-man, with full confidence in his 

 own powers, gets safely back to his boat. 



