STUDIES IN NATURE 



do will take away from the dwellers therein the 

 whole of the sky ; the greater part will always 

 be left where they can watch the movements of 

 the clouds, gathering up knowledge of wind 

 and weather, and noting the changes of the 

 moon and the nightly journeyings of the stars. 

 Great artists have found many of their most 

 beautiful effects of colour in crowded streets, 

 and have delighted to paint the sunset colours, 

 seen through a veil of smoke. Moreover, in 

 towns we find parks and open spaces in wisely 

 increasing numbers ; there are trees and plants, 

 sparrows and starlings, perhaps even rooks and 

 wild pigeons. There are seagulls that come 

 inland on stormy days, and other strange birds 

 that fly overhead in their yearly change of 

 home. All these have different habits of life, 

 well worth careful study, for each represents 

 some part of the scheme of Nature. Even if, 

 as an extreme case, we are forced to spend 

 much of our time in mines under the surface of 

 the earth, we need not despair. The rocks 

 around us are part of Nature, differing among 

 each other. Some will be soft, others hard ; 

 some will be useful, others must be left aside. 

 Some will tell the intelligent workman that 

 danger is at hand ; by noticing others he will 

 know that he can safely continue his labours. 

 As long as we live on this earth we may be 

 very sure that we cannot get away from 

 Nature. 



(2) 



