] I PASTURE STONES 



nowhere is there an ellipsoid, such as the sea loves 

 to turn, but rough outlines always. Frequently 

 one surface is rounded; the work of making a 

 sphere was begun but progressed only thus far. 

 Again, two surfaces may be approximately parallel 

 and the remainder rough and angular. Commonly 

 it is an affair of many angles, all unequal, and of 

 a multitude of curves of different radii. It is cast 

 in a mould it would be difficult to classify. With 

 the multiform aspects of crystals, they are still not 

 so varied as these pasture stones. For crystals, for 

 leaves, for snowflakes, there are definite patterns. 

 But the boulder is a thing by itself, subjedt to 

 other laws and formed under a different order of 

 architecture or under no order but the will of 

 the glacier, which has left here and there the 

 marks of its icy fingers. 



There is a suggestion of friendliness in the way 

 the lichens clothe these stones, as though Nature 

 aimed to cover the scars she could not heal, or 

 to hang them with such rich medallions as the 

 parmelia in token of that ancient service. Here 

 are colors such as only Time can mix, shades 

 which are the work of centuries, unspeakably 

 softened and mellowed, like ivory and meerschaum 



