SEPTEMBER 



27 



I observed the other day that those insects whose 

 ripple I could see from the peak were water bugs. 

 I could detect the progress of a water bug over the 

 smooth surface in almost any part of the pond, for 

 they furrow the water slightly, making a conspicu- 

 ous ripple, bounded by two diverging lines, but 

 the skaters slide over it without producing a per- 

 ceptible ripple. In this clear air, and with this 

 glassy surface, the motion of every water bug, here 

 and there amid the skaters, was perceptible. 



THOREAU: Autumn. 



28 



The pearly everlasting is an interesting white 

 at present. Though the stem and leaves are still 

 green, it is dry and unwithering like an artificial 

 flower ; its white flexuous stem and branches, too, 

 like wire wound with cotton. Neither is there any 

 scent to betray it. Its amaranthine quality is in- 

 stead of high color. Its very brown centre now 

 affects me as a fresh and original color. It mo- 

 nopolizes small circles in the midst of sweet fern, 



perchance, on a dry hillside. 



THOKEAU: Autumn. 



