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 Pipsissewa 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 
