A RAMBLE IN THE WOODS. 
41 
miglity, says : “ As an eagle stiiTetli np her nest, fluttereth over 
her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth 
them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him” — as we read 
in the Song of Moses, in Deuteronomy. 
Saturday, \bth. — Cool rain, at intervals, for the last day or 
two ; pleasant again this afternoon. Walked in the woods look- 
ing for flowers ; went some distance in vain, but at last near the 
summit of the hill we found a bunch of fresh ground laurel, the 
first wild blossoms of the year to us, and prized accordingly ; 
there were many more in full bud, but no other open. 
Since Ave Avere last in the Avoods, the squirrel-cups ijicpaticas) 
haA'C sprang up ; their modest little lilac cups, in half-open buds, 
are hanging singly here and there over the dead leaves, and very 
pretty they are in this stage of their short life ; they have a timid, 
modest look, hanging leafless from their doAvny stalks, as if half 
afraid, half ashamed of being alone in the Avide Avoods ; for their 
companion, the ground laurel, remains closely Avrapped in the 
withered leaves. It cannot be said that either of these plants is 
fairly in bloom ; they are only opening — a sIoav process Avith the 
arbutus, but a rapid one Avith the hepatica. The mosses are in 
great beauty now ; seA-eral varieties are in floAver, and exquisitely 
delicate ; the dark broAAmish moss, with its white-capped floAvers 
and tiny red stalk, and a dainty companion of light green, Avith a 
blossom of the same tint, are in perfection. WhercA'er Ave Avent, 
they were so abundant, and so beautiful in their spring freshness, 
as to delight the eye. 
Fresh grass butter from, the fann to-day. 
Monday, \lth. — A feAv Avhite-bellied sAA-alloAA^s sailing OA'er the 
village yesterday ; but one SAvalloAV does not make a summer, nor 
