in. THE HOSPITALITIES OF NATURE. 41 



branches, that they might thus afford a secure asylum 

 for little birds. This would appear to be the final 

 cause of the lime tree to give a single example 

 which, instead of spreading out its boughs and branches 

 widely like other trees, crowds them together, and so 

 fills up the vacant spaces with slender little twigs that 

 the whole centre of the tree forms an impervious laby- 

 rinth of brushwood, within which the little bird is safe 

 from the pursuit of its foes. 



Some objects are repellent and exclusive. They give 

 no shelter or support to any created thing. They 

 suffice for themselves, and stand out clearly defined in 

 their distinct and independent existence. The surface 

 of the snow is barren ; the chilly glacier has no com- 

 munion with the mountain glen through which it passes. 

 The clear, sharp-cut crystal harbours no stain from 

 earth or sky to show its sympathy with the materials 

 out of which it sprang. The marble rock, like the 

 snow, does not invite the green things of the soil 

 around to share its existence with it, and give to and 

 take from it an element of picturesqueness and beauty. 



And yet, as in human society, when social laws over- 

 bear private plans, and the social design is fulfilled in 

 spite of selfish opposition, so in nature the substances 

 that seek to exclude others are made to contribute to 

 the general harmony and the beautiful balancing of 

 creation. The very snow is made to be friendly and 

 hospitable, for it nourishes on its stainless bosom a 

 simple, one-celled plant which grows with such rapidity 

 and in such marvellous profusion that it gives to whole 



