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106 something pathetic in such a sight, next to seeing one of the human aborigines of the country. I respect the skunk as a human being in a very humble sphere. I have no doubt they have begun to probe already where the ground permits or as far as it does. But what have they eat all winter?

The weather is almost April-like. We always have much of this rainy drizzling weather in early spring, after which we expect to hear geese.

March 10, 1855. I am not aware of growth in any plant yet, unless it be the further peeping out of the willow catkins. They have crept out further from under the scales, and looking closely I detect a little redness along the twigs even now.

You are always surprised by the sight of the first spring bird or insect. They seem premature, and there is no such evidence of spring as themselves, so that they literally fetch the year about. It is thus when I hear the first robin or bluebird, or looking along the brooks see the first water-bugs out, circling. But you think they have come and nature cannot recede. Thus, when, on the 6th, I saw the gyrinus at Second Division Brook. I saw no peculiarity in the water or the air to remind me of them, but to-day they are here and yesterday they