NOVEMBER 



5 



The oaks are now beginning to look sere, and 

 their leaves have withered borders. It is pleasant 

 to notice the wide circle of greener grass beneath 

 the circumference of an overshadowing oak. Pass- 

 ing an orchard, one hears an uneasy rustling in 

 the trees, and not as if they were struggling with 

 the wind. Scattered about are barrels to contain 

 the gathered apples ; and perhaps a great heap of 

 golden or scarlet apples is collected in one place. 

 HAWTHORNE: American Note-Books. 



In Weston's field in springy land on the edge of 

 a swamp I counted thirty-three or four of those 

 large silvery brown cocoons within a rod or two, 

 and probably there are many more ; about a foot 

 from the ground, commonly on the main stem, 

 though sometimes on a branch close to the stem, 

 of the alder, sweet fern, brake, etc. The largest 

 are four inches long by two and one half wide, 

 bagshaped and wrinkled, and partly concealed by 

 dry leaves, alder, fern, etc., attached, as if sprin- 

 kled over them. 



THOREAU: Winter. 



