ROUND ABOUT A SPRING. 



ttatmfr about a Spring in tOinter. 



WE dwellers in the northern hemisphere nat- 

 urally think of winter as cold, and shudder at 

 the idea of plunging into the water at this sea- 

 son. The common demand is, if cold must be 

 endured, let it at least be rid of moisture. But 

 all animals are not of this way of thinking. To 

 avoid the cutting blasts of the north wind, the 

 stinging sleet, the pelting hail, and driving snow, 

 many a creature boldly plunges in or hovers about 

 the sparkling waters of every bubbling spring. 

 The reason is, at such spots there is a uniform 

 and not low temperature. 



The impression is well-nigh universal that the 

 great majority of animals, other than a few hardy 

 birds, are asleep from autumn until spring ; that 

 they are hibernating, as it is called. It is quite 

 true when we walk across an exposed field or 

 follow a wood path over some high hill, such an 

 impression will not be disturbed by anything 

 that we see or hear ; but these are not the only 

 routes open to us. Stroll along the river shore, 

 even when it is blocked with ice, and in the little 

 ponds of open water you will be pretty sure to 

 see abundant forms of life ; but, better yet, stray 

 over the meadows, where, in more senses than 

 one, perpetual summer reigns. Break the thick 



