174 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE chap. 



the golden blossoms of the Broom, which, 

 however, while Gorse and Heather continue 

 in bloom for months, " blazes for a week or 

 two, and is then completely extinguished, like 

 a fire that has burnt itself out." ^ 



In summer the tints grow darker, the birds 

 are more numerous and full of life ; the air 

 teems with insects, with the btisy murmur of 

 bees and the idle hum of flies, while the cool 

 of morning and evening, and the heat of the 

 day, are all alike delicious. 



As the year advances and the flowers wane, 

 we have many beautiful fruits and berries, 

 the red hips and haws of the wild roses, 

 scarlet holly berries, crimson yew cups, the 

 translucent berries of the Guelder Rose, 

 hanging coral beads of the Black Bryony, 

 feathery festoons of the Traveller's Joy, and 

 others less conspicuous, but still exquisite in 

 themselves — acorns, beech nuts, ash keys, and 

 many more. It is really difficult to say which 

 are most beautiful, the tender greens of spring 

 or the rich tints of autumn, which glow so 

 brightly in the sunshine. 



1 Hamerton. 



