Page:Summer - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/47

Rh the first date, at least, &quot;2d Division,&quot; the rivers as North and South rivers (not Assabet at that date), &quot;Swamp Bridge,&quot; apparently on Back road, &quot;Goose Pond,&quot; &quot;Mr. Flint's Pond,&quot; &quot;Nutt Meadow,&quot; &quot;Willow Swamp,&quot; &quot;Spruce Swamp,&quot; etc., etc It is pleasing to read these evergreen wilderness names, now, perchance, cleared fields and meadows, said to be redeemed. The 2d Division appears to have been a very large tract between the two rivers.

June 4, 1854. 8 Up Assabet with B and B.

These warm and dry days which put Spring far behind, the sound of the crickets at noon has a new value and significance, so severe and cool. It is the iced cream of song. It is modulated shade.

I see now, here and there, deep furrows in the sandy bottom, two or three inches wide, leading from the middle of the river toward the side, and a clam on its edge at the end of each. There are distinct white lines. Plainly, then, about these times the clams are coming up to the shore, and I have caught them in the act.

To Walden. Now is the time to observe the leaves, so fair in color and so perfect in form. I stood over a sprig of chokeberry with fair and perfect glossy, green, obovate and serrate leaves in the woods this, as if it