20 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



from external foes, do we not trace here a sign of 

 the loving sacrifice that ennobles the nest of higher 

 forms of life ? For, deep within the shelter of 

 those arms, minute, yet virile, lies the wondrous 

 microscopic " cell " which embodies all the poten- 

 tialities of the parent plant, whose floral beauty it 

 may perpetuate in succeeding generations. Closely 

 is it guarded, until the mother-bloom has provided 

 it with hardy armature, and, in her own death, 

 commits it in safety to the rugged bosom of the 

 ground. 



The birds, again, ferocious or cruel as many of 

 them are when attacking their prey, yet afford 

 suggestions of some calm depth of love underlying 

 all the hateful tumult of the surface. Without con- 

 sidering those passionate moments when the in- 

 fluence of sex inspires the greatest fervour of 

 artistic song, the utmost extravagance of court- 

 ship, one may gather from them at other periods 

 of the year evidence of friendly association and 

 sedate companionship, healthful for man to re- 

 member. These signs of constant yet unobtrusive 

 love, equally with the thrilling notes of the most 

 musical birds ; the soft aroma of the glowing 



