A FOGGY MORNING. 95 



And from what I have observed of animal life, I 

 am further convinced that the power grows with 

 the animal's growth ; hence the necessity of the 

 young remaining, as they do, with their parents 

 until well matured. The sense of hearing in a 

 weasel, raccoon, or other creature is one that de- 

 velops, and doubtless varies, in efficiency among 

 individuals. There is no cut-and-dried instinct 

 about it. I have often thought how much there 

 is in the saying common among trappers con- 

 cerning very cunning animals of any kind, " He 

 is too old to be caught." As chance has offered, 

 I have experimented upon our wild animals as to 

 this very point, and though the results were 

 largely negative, there was nothing in them that 

 showed my inference, or conviction rather, to be 

 untrue ; and, on the other hand, much that point- 

 ed unmistakably the other way. 



But what of the clearing fog ? True enough, 

 I have drifted from it, and it has passed earth- 

 ward and away. So may it ever be ! Let but a 

 bird pass by, singing or silent, it matters not ; 

 let but the shadow of a fleeing creature cross 

 my path, and clouds, sunshine, storm, or fairest 

 weather are alike one. 



