" What means this persistent vitality ? Why were these spared 

 when the brakes and osmundas were stricken down ? They stay as 

 if to keep up the spirits of the cold-blooded frogs which have not yet 

 gone into the mud, that the summer may die with decent and graceful 

 moderation. Is not the water of the spring improved by their pres- 

 ence ? They fall back and droop, here and there like the plumes of 

 departing summer, of the departing year. Even in them I feel an ar- 

 gument for immortality." THOREAU. 



