III. 



THE KETTJBN OF THE NATIVES. 



The sun, more than a month past the vernal 

 equinox, has with his skillful rays weU advanced 

 the work of lifting up the blades and unfolding 

 the compact packages of leaves. What a spell is 

 being wrought by the great magician on the tender 

 foliage of yonder growths of oaks and maples, pre- 

 senting, before the full share of chlorophyl is 

 gained, a beautiful array of colors, which only the 

 autumn's work surpasses I 



Young leaves of delicate pink, maroon, honey- 

 yellow, and the various shades of green, appear in 

 the distance like a mist of many hues settled on a 

 spray. 



On the southern side of this shelving ledge, 

 wherever a crevice holds a pinch of earth, some 

 kind of plant, that has a liking for such localities, 

 has appropriated it and sprung up like magic. 

 When did these columbines blossom? How art- 



63 



