OCTOBER 



II 



In such weather the woodland air is laden with 

 the light burden of odor, the faintly pungent 

 aroma of the ripened leaves, more subtle than the 

 scent of pine or fir, yet as apparent to the nostrils, 

 as delightful and more rare, for in the round of 

 the year its days are few, while in summer sun- 

 shine and winter wind, in springtime shower and 

 autumnal frost, pine, spruce, balsam, hemlock, and 

 cedars distill their perfume and lavish it on the 

 breeze or gale of every season. 



ROBINSON: In New England Fields and Woods. 



12 



The chestnut leaves already rustle with a great 

 noise as you walk through the woods, lying light, 

 firm, and crisp. Now the chestnuts are rattling 

 out. The burrs are gaping and showing the plump 

 nuts. They fill the ruts in the road and are abun- 

 dant amid the fallen leaves in the midst of the 

 wood. The jays scream and the red squirrels scold 

 while you are clubbing and shaking the trees. 

 Now it is true autumn, and all things are crisp 

 and ripe. 



THOREAU: Autumn. 



