278 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



trees on its slopes are sharply defined against the 

 dazzling white of the snow, and like a fringe of 

 infinite fineness the topmost trees edge the skyline. 

 Here and there a hemlock or pine stands out 

 clearly from its leafless brothers, as though in 

 defiance of the autumn laws which denude the 

 forests of their covering. Through the valley a 

 river crawls along silently toward its destination. 

 Against the white banks it seems almost black 

 where the ice has not yet hidden its surface from 

 our view. On either side alders and willows grow 

 with roots submerged, and each twig, trembling as 

 the water passes, is coated with ice, and spray-made 

 icicles of crystalline purity shimmer in the sunlight. 

 How different is this river from the one we had 

 fished in during the warm summer days ! Where 

 are all the leaves and flowers which clothed its 

 banks ? Some of the flowers have sown their 

 seeds for the next year's crop and the snow is 

 protecting them from the severe frosts. Others, 

 less eager, are holding their precious burden in 

 tightly-closed pods, waiting for the days of snow 

 to pass, that they may open their doors and bid the 

 tiny seeds go forth and take root in the warming 

 earth. The leaves, too, are fulfilling their part 

 in the marvellous order of nature. Strewn 

 about the roots of bush and tree they are 

 giving back to the earth that which was required 

 for their sustenance during the few months of their 

 life. Of the endless variety of grasses and seeds 

 scarcely any are visible ; unable to hold the burden 

 of snow they have lain down to take their long 

 winter sleep. A few sturdy cat-tails hold their 



