Nat] AND SYMBOLS. 239 



were, even the dogs of the law refused to follow their loath- 

 some track, and all pure men, stood aloof from the work. Of 

 such beings we may say that they have been exceptionally safe 

 because they were exceptionally pestiferous. MU. 



The Conquests of the Nasty. 



The burrowing owl, which flies by day, derives its name 

 from the place where it makes its nest in the pampas of South 

 America, or the prairies of North America. It does not dig 

 burrows for itself, but simply takes possession of those belong- 

 ing to other animals after having driven them away by its 

 disgusting odour. This is its mode of conquering a territory. 

 There are some men who seem to push their way in life by the 

 power which they possess of making themselves objectionable. 

 They do not enjoy sufficient genius to command influential 

 positions, yet they acquire them ; and their compeers make way 

 for them. It is because of their insufferable offensiveness. 

 The persons around them cannot work with them or near 

 them ; they resign, and the burro wing-owl-man obtains the 

 place he wants. He is keen enough to know the situation 

 which he does want, and he makes for it. He does not need 

 to do any struggling or fighting. There is that in him which 

 drives others away and leaves him master. RE. 



The Completeness of Nature's Plans. 



Philosophy teaches us when the little snow-drop, which in our 

 garden walks we see raising its beautiful head to remind us that 

 spring is at hand, was created, that the whole mass of the earth, 

 from pole to pole, and from circumference to centre, musthavebeen 

 taken into account and weighed in order that the proper degree 

 of strength might be given to the fibres of even this little plant. 

 Botanists tell us that the constitution of this plant is such as to 

 require that, at a certain stage of its growth, the stalk should 

 bend and the flower should bow its head, that an operation 

 may take place which is necessary in order that the herb should 

 produce seed after its kind ; and that after this, its vegetable 

 health requires that it should lift its head again and stand erect. 



