nd the War 172
VIII. The Robin 175
IX. The Weasel 177
X. Misinterpreting Nature 179
XI. Natural Sculpture 181

XI. RUMINATIONS 184
I. Man a Part of Nature 184
II. Marcus Aurelius on Death 185
III. The Interpreter of Nature 186
IV. Original Sources 190
V. The Cosmic Harmony 191
VI. Cosmic Rhythms 193
VII. The Beginnings of Life 194
VIII. Spendthrift Nature 195

XII. NEW GLEANINGS IN FIELD AND WOOD 197
I. Sunrise 197
II. Nature's Methods 199
III. Heads and Tails 205
IV. An Unsavory Subject 206
V. Chance in Animal Life 208
VI. Mosquitoes and Fleas 210
VII. The Change of Climate in Southern California 210
VIII. All-Seeing Nature 212

INDEX 217

UNDER
THE MAPLES

I

THE FALLING LEAVES

The time of the falling of leaves has come again. Once more in our
morning walk we tread upon carpets of gold and crimson, of brown and
bronze, woven by the winds or the rains out of these delicate textures
while we slept.

How beautifully the leaves grow old! How full of light and color are
their last days! There are exceptions, of course. The leaves of most of
the fruit-trees fade and wither and fall ingloriously. They bequeath
their heritage of color to their fruit. Upon it they lavish the hues
which other trees lavish upon their leaves. The pear-tree is often an
exception. I have seen pear orchards in October painting a hillside in
hues of mingled bronze and gold. And well may the pear-tree do this, it
is so chary of color upon its fruit.

But in October what a feast to the eye our woods and groves present! The
whole body of the air seems enriched by their calm, slo