LOCUST-PODS. 
413 
The locust-trees are, as usual, full of brown pods ; one of tbe 
handsomest in the village, a fine tree in size and form, might be' 
supposed in withered leaf at a little distance, every branch and 
twig being loaded with pods. A drawing, taken at this moment, 
would give the idea of a tree in leaf. What a luxuriant mass of 
flowers it must have borne last June ! A good portion of these 
pods will remain on the tree all winter, for they fall very reluc- 
tantly ; and occasionally these old rusty shreds of a past year are 
found among the fresh summer blossoms. They have certainly 
no beauty, and yet they are rather pleasing in winter, reminding 
one of the flowers the tree has borne. The pods of the Acacia, 
frequently called the Honey-locust, are handsome and very large, 
though the flower itself is insignificant : they are of a rich glossy 
brown, with a spiral, curling turn, and twelve or fifteen inches 
long ; there are few on tlie tree, however, compared with the 
common locust, and they fall early. The birds do not seem to 
eat the seed in these pods, which is a pity ; they would be a fine 
winter harvest for them about the villages. 
The old brown chestnut-burs tipping the naked twigs here and 
there, the black shell of the hickory, also the open husk of the 
small beech-nut dotting the trees, the swinging balls of the syc- 
amore, the scaly tufts on birch and alder, though dull and out 
of season, are also pleasing from association, and though claiming 
little beauty in themselves, vary the naked branches agreeably. 
A flock of wild ducks flew over the village to the lake, the only 
birds we have seen for a fortnight. 
Thursday, 1th. — Mild rain again, with dark, dull sky. 
Friday, 8th. — Very mild, and cloudy, but without rain. In- 
deed, it is almost warm ; people are complaining of lassitude, the 
