MAY 



31 



Within little more than a fortnight the woods, 

 from bare twigs, have become a sea of verdure, 

 and young shoots have contended with one another 

 in the race. The leaves are unfurled all over the 

 country. Shade is produced, the birds are con- 

 cealed, their economies go forward uninterruptedly, 

 and a covert is afforded to animals generally. But 

 thousands of worms and insects are preying on the 

 leaves while they are young and tender. Myriads 

 of little parasols are suddenly spread all the coun- 

 try over to shield the earth and the roots of the 

 trees from the parching heat, and they begin to 

 flutter and to rustle in the breeze. 



THOKBAU: Summer. 



