THE REDOLENT WORLD 



lure's habit of hiding aromatic treasures in 

 most improbable places is the fragrant and 

 costly ambergris, secreted by the intestines 

 of the sperm whale. 



Another aroma of complex ministrations 

 is the unique fragrance of maple sugar in 

 the various stages of its evaporation between 

 sap and the solid commodity known to com- 

 merce. Only a visit to a sugar-camp in the 

 woods will enable one to understand what 

 a series of picturesque scenes from the slides 

 of the past may be thrown upon the screen 

 of memory by one little whiff from boiling 

 maple syrup, as it nears the stage of sugar. 



Nor should one omit from the roll of 

 olfactory honors those fumes which arise 

 from debatable sources. Whatever inter- 

 linear prods may be made by an unco Puri- 

 tan sense, a truly catholic candor will not 

 deny a tribute of praise to the secular incense 

 which arises from a good cigar or a pot of 

 ingratiating coffee or tea. If nature frowns 

 upon the use of these gifts of hers, she was 

 certainly guilty of plain coquetry in "lead- 

 ing men on" by their seductive aromas. 



57 



