WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 151 



and certain, as the colours are deepened by the great 

 artist. Only when the wind blows and the ears bend 

 in those places where the breeze takes most, it looks 

 paler because the under part of the ear is shown and 

 part of the stalk. Finally comes that rich hue for 

 which no exact similitude exists. In it there is some- 

 what of the red of the orange, somewhat of the tint of 

 bronze, and somewhat of the hue of maize ; but these 

 are poor words wherewith to render fixed a colour 

 that plays over the surface of this yellow sea, for if 

 you take one, two, or a dozen ears you shall not find 

 it, but must look abroad, and let your gaze travel to 

 and fro. Nor is every field alike : here are acres and 

 acres more yellow, yonder a space whiter, beyond 

 that a slope richly ruddy, according to the kind of 

 seed that was sown. 



Out of the depths of what to it must seem an 

 impenetrable jungle, from visiting a flower hidden 

 below, a humble-bee climbs rapidly up a stalk a yard 

 or two away while you look, and mounting to the top 

 of the ear, as a post of vantage clear of obstructions, 

 sails away upon the wind. 



" We be all jolly vellers what vollers th' plough ! " 

 but not to listen to, and take literally according to 

 the letter of the discourse. It runs something like 

 this the seasons through as the weather changes : 

 " Terrible dry weather this here to be sure ; we got 

 so much work to do uz can't get drough it. The fly 

 be swarming in the turmots the smut be on the wheat 

 the wuts be amazing weak in the straw. Got a fine 



