194 NA T URE-S TUDY RE VIE W [17 :5— May, 1920 



could make so much trouble, there was no foreseeing what they 

 might do when grown up, and when one of them would be more 

 than a match for a man in the various pulling, scrouging, racing, 

 and smashing contests they were sure to get into. 



Across the street lived a family in which there was a boy nine 

 or ten years old. He was leaning over the lower half of the front 

 door when I looked out. I called him across the street, and asked 

 him if he would like a pair of tatus: he grinned. I told him he 

 could have mine on condition that he killed them and ate them 

 that day. He promised to do so; and the last I saw of my two 

 brown pets was a rear view as the bare-footed boy walked away 

 with one under each arm. 



I remarked to myself that the "hate fabula docet" of this whole 

 matter is that curiosity and vitality are liable to get young folks 

 into trouble unless they are under proper guidance. 



California 



Albert W. Smith 

 Acting President of Cornell University 



Beyond the high Sierra's snow 



The summer trade-winds gently blow 



To cool a blessed valley where 



The eucalyptus scents the sun-steeped air. 



Tall redwoods on the mountains high 

 Are outlined 'gainst the western sky ; 

 And eastward mountains, bare and brown, 

 At evening glowing watch the sun go down. 



This valley when dry summer wanes 

 Grows green beneath the waxing rains ; 

 And redwoods drip in mountain dells 

 Where manzanitas hang their tiny bells. 



Then poppies flame on verdant hills; 

 Their fragrant air is cool and thrills 

 With songs of meadow-lark? ; beside 

 Lone ways shy mariposa lilies hide. 



