NATURE'S DREAMS 239 



out from the margin of snow-covered ice, rises above 

 the surface more black than the black water, swims 

 directly across and sinks under the ice at the other 

 side. At once it is apparent that not only the white 

 mantle of snow, but the solid banks, are alive with 

 animal activity. Below the easy tunnelling of the Mice 

 in the snow the Muskrats are burrowing about in the 

 ground. 



What life abounds where all things seemed so 

 dead ! Nature is but dreaming. Kick away the light 

 crisp covering, and the waxy green leaves of the 

 Wintergreen, with its bright red berries, are found as 

 fresh and tempting as in early spring. The frozen 

 earth, under the snow, is congenial to this healthy 

 emblem of winter. A bunch of Hepatica leaves is 

 found, green and vigorous, and the Trailing Arbutus 

 is growing and budding in anticipation of the season 

 of awakening. The Ground Ivy, even when cased 

 in ice, seems as vigorous and aggressive as under the 

 June sun. Who would have expected to find so many 

 friends of spring and summer at home at this inhospi- 

 table season i Around the dead and withered stalk 

 of an Aster the root leaves are preparing for spring. 

 The Golden-rod is also putting forth its leaves, and 

 the Rpsissewa shows the hardy vigour of summer. 

 The covering of snow merely conceals nature's 

 activities. The Gold Thread, the Partridge Berry, 

 and the Twin Flower are easily discovered in their 



