FOR NORTHERN INDIA 154 



spangled with, pearly dewdrops. Cool zephyrs 

 greet the rising sun. At dawn there is, in the 

 last days of the month, a touch of cold in the 

 air. 



The Indian countryside displays a greenness 

 which is almost spring-like ; not quite spring- 

 like, because the fierce greens induced by the 

 monsoon rains are not of the same hues as 

 those of the young leaves of spring. The 

 foliage is almost entirely free from dust. 

 This fact adds to the vernal appearance of 

 the landscape. The jbils and tanks are filled 

 with water, and, being overgrown with luxu- 

 riant vegetation, enhance the beauty of the 

 scene. But, almost immediately after the 

 cessation of the rains, the country begins to 

 assume its usual look. Day by day the grass 

 loses a little of its greenness. The earth dries 

 up gradually, and its surface once more 

 becomes dusty. The dust is carried to the 

 foliage, on which it settles, subduing the 

 natural greenery of the leaves. No sooner do 

 the rains cease than the rivers begin to fall. 

 By November most of them will be sandy 

 wastes in which the insignificant stream is 

 almost lost to view. 



The mimosas flower in September. Their 



