24 NATURES STORY OF THE YEAR 



buzzed across the land, or hurtled through the tall 

 grass-stalks beside country roads. He has heard 

 the stream in the valley roar louder, swelled by 

 warm rains. So he sings. 



In the fields a host of vegetable forms arises. 

 Even the grasses are full of vigour, and every 

 clump of the stronger kinds protects itself with an 

 array of sharp spiny leaves like little spears, 

 which boldly face the weather, and even receive 

 the onset of the hail without breaking. The 

 young corn waves its flags, even through the chill 

 north-easter, and triumphs over the hoarfrost, 

 which vanishes in sunshine, and hides in the shade 

 of plants and scattered stones. But the sun, 

 gradually moving across the sky, sees around the 

 edge of the shelter, and destroys the enemy. 



In the country the change of season is foretold 

 in the caligraphy of Nature, and in sounds which 

 are repeated year by year with much the same 

 variations of tone and emphasis. Several of these 

 incidents are liable to alter in time of occurrence 

 or in duration. A change of weather may open 

 flowers too soon, or may ruin autumn splendours ; 

 it may excite birds to song in December, or silence 



