64 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
at the agreeable ease and rare enlightenment of 
the stranger’s conversation. 
Having visited Audubon expressly for the 
purpose of seeing his representations of birds, 
which he had heard were accompanied by those’ 
of shrubs and plants, his impatience to inspect 
the portfolios at once was very evident. He 
was struck with the drawing of a plant which 
appeared new to him. With a characteristic 
scepticism, however, which led-him to believe 
only in his own discoveries, or such as, owning the 
prestige of age, had, according to Malebranche’s 
expression, acquired a ‘venerable beard,” he 
denied the existence of such a plant. As it was 
very common in the neighbourhood, Audubon 
promised to show it to him on the morrow. 
“Why to-morrow?” exclaimed he; “let us 
go now.” On reaching the bank of the river, 
he was convinced of the truth of the representa- 
tion, Plucking the plants mercilessly one after 
the other, he danced, hugged them in his arms, 
and crying out that he had not merely a new 
Species, but a new genus, he seemed on the verge 
of delirium from delight. Yet was his incredu- 
lity in no degree diminished with regard to other 
matters. Again within doors, the windows were 
opened to admit the summer air. The light of 
the candles attracted the insects, and among 
them a large species of Scaraboens. Audubon 
