O’eryouth’sbrightlocks，andbeauty’sflowingcrown；
　　Yetshalltheyhearavoice，’Restorethedead。’
　　Earthshallreclaimherpreciousthingsfromthee。
　　Givebackthedead，thouSea！"
　　CHAPTERIX——THECORAL—REEF
　　NowyouwanttoknowwhatImeantwhenItalkedofabitoflimegoingouttosea，andformingpartofacoralisland，andthenofalimestonerock，andthenofamarblestatue。Verygood。Thenlookatthisstone。
　　Whatacuriousstone！Diditcomefromanyplacenearhere？
　　No。ItcamefromnearDudley，inStaffordshire，wherethesoilsareworldsonworldsolderthantheyarehere，thoughtheyweremadeinthesamewayastheseandallothersoils。Butyouarenotlisteningtome。
　　Why，thestoneisfullofshells，andbitsofcoral；andwhatarethesewonderfulthingscoiledandtangledtogether，likethesnakesinMedusa’shairinthepicture？Aretheysnakes？
　　Iftheyare，thentheymustbesnakeswhohaveallonehead；forsee，theyarejoinedtogetherattheirlargerends；andsnakeswhicharebranched，too，whichnosnakeeverwas。
　　Yes。Isupposetheyarenotsnakes。Andtheygrowoutofaflower，too；andithasastalk，jointed，too，asplantssometimesare；andasfishes’backbonesaretoo。Isitapetrifiedplantorflower？
　　No；thoughIdonotdenythatitlookslikeone。Thecreaturemostakintoitwhichyoueversawisastar—fish。
　　What！oneoftheredstar—fisheswhichonefindsonthebeach？
　　Itsarmsarenotbranched。
　　No。Buttherearestar—fisheswithbranchedarmsstillinthesea。Youknowthatprettybook（andlearnedbook，too），Forbes’sBritishStar—fishes？Youliketolookitthroughforthesakeofthevignettes，——themermaidandherchildplayinginthesea。
　　Ohyes，andthekindbogiewhoispipingwhilethesandstarsdance；andtheotherwhoistryingtopulloutthestar—fishwhichtheoysterhascaught。
　　Yes。ButdoyourecollectthedrawingoftheMedusa’shead，withitscurlingarms，branchedagainandagainwithoutend？Hereitis。No，youshallnotlookatthevignettesnow。Wemustmindbusiness。Nowlookatthisone；theFeather—star，witharmsalmostlikefern—fronds。Andinforeignseastherearemanyotherbranchedstar—fishbeside。
　　Buttheyhavenostalks？
　　Donotbetoosureofthat。Thisveryfeather—star，soonafteritisborn，growsatinystalk，bywhichitholdsontocorallinesandsea—weeds；anditisnottillafterwardsthatitbreaksloosefromthatstalk，andswimsawayfreelyintothewidewater。Andinforeignseasthereareseveralstar—fishstillwhogrowonstalksalltheirlives，asthisfossilonedid。
　　Howstrangethataliveanimalshouldgrowonastalk，likeaflower！
　　Notquitelikeaflower。Aflowerhasroots，bywhichitfeedsinthesoil。Thesethingsgrowmorelikesea—weeds，whichhavenoroots，butonlyholdontotherockbythefootofthestalk，asashipholdsonbyheranchor。Butasforitsbeingstrangethatliveanimalsshouldgrowonstalks，ifitbestrangeitiscommonenough，likemanyfarstrangerthings。Forunderthewateraremillionsonmillionsofcreatures，spreadingformilesonmiles，buildingupatlastgreatreefsofrocks，andwholeislands，whichallgrowrootedfirsttotherock，likesea—weeds；andwhatismore，theygrow，mostofthem，fromonecommonroot，branchingagainandagain，andeverybranchletbearinghundredsoflivingcreatures，sothatthewholecreationisatonceonecreatureandmanycreatures。Doyounotunderstandme？
　　No。
　　Thenfancytoyourselfabushlikethathawthornbush，withnumberlessblossoms，andeveryblossomonthatbushaseparatelivingthing，withitsownmouth，andarms，andstomach，buddingandgrowingfreshlivebranchesandfreshliveflowers，asfastastheoldonesdie：andthenyouwillseebetterwhatImean。
　　Howwonderful！
　　Yes；butnotmorewonderfulthanyourfinger，forit，too，ismadeupofnumberlesslivingthings。
　　Myfingermadeoflivingthings？
　　Whatelsecanitbe？Whenyoucutyourfinger，doesnottheplaceheal？
　　Ofcourse。
　　Andwhatishealingbutgrowingagain？Andhowcouldtheatomsofyourfingersgrow，andmakefreshskin，iftheywerenoteachofthemalive？There，Iwillnotpuzzleyouwithtoomuchatonce；
　　youwillknowmoreaboutallthatsomeday。Onlyremembernow，thatthereisnothingwonderfulintheworldoutsideyoubuthasitscounterpartofsomethingjustaswonderful，andperhapsmorewonderful，insideyou。Manisthemicrocosm，thelittleworld，saidthephilosophersofold；andphilosophersnowadaysarebeginningtoseethattheiroldguessisactualfactandtrue。
　　Butwhatarethesecurioussea—creaturescalled，whichareanimals，yetgrowlikeplants？
　　TheyhavemorenamesthanIcantellyou，oryouremember。Thosewhichhelpedtomakethisbitofstonearecalledcoral—insects：
　　buttheyarenotreallyinsects，andarenomorelikeinsectsthanyouare。Coral—polypesisthebestnameforthem，becausetheyhavearmsroundtheirmouths，somethinglikeacuttle—fish，whichtheancientscalledPolypus。Buttheanimalwhichyouhaveseenlikesttomostofthemisasea—anemone。
　　Looknowatthispieceoffreshcoral——forcoralitis，thoughnotlikethecoralwhichyoursisterwearsinhernecklace。Youseeitisfullofpipes；ineachofthosepipeshaslivedwhatwewillcall，forthetimebeing，atinysea—anemone，joinedontohisbrothersbysomesortoffleshandskin；andallofthemtogetherhavebuiltup，outofthelimeinthesea—water，thiscommonhouse，orrathertown，oflime。
　　Butisitnotstrangeandwonderful？
　　Ofcourseitis：butsoiseverythingwhenyoubegintolookintoit；andifIweretogoon，andtellyouwhatsortofyoungonesthesecoral—polypeshave，andwhatbecomesofthem，youwouldhearsuchwonders，thatyouwouldbereadytosuspectthatIwasinventingnonsense，ortalkinginmydreams。ButallthatbelongstoMadamHow’sdeepestbookofall，whichiscalledtheBOOKOF
　　KIND：thebookwhichchildrencannotunderstand，andinwhichonlytheverywisestmenareabletospelloutafewwords，notknowing，andofcoursenotdaringtoguess，whatwondermaycomenext。
　　Nowwewillgobacktoourstone，andtalkabouthowitwasmade，andhowthestalkedstar—fish，whichyoumistookforaflower，evergotintothestone。
　　Thendoyouthinkmesillyforfancyingthatafossilstar—fishwasaflower？
　　IshouldbesillyifIdid。Thereisnosillinessinnotknowingwhatyoucannotknow。Youcanonlyguessaboutnewthings，whichyouhaveneverseenbefore，bycomparingthemwitholdthings，whichyouhaveseenbefore；andyouhadseenflowers，andsnakes，andfishes’backbones，andmadeaveryfairguessfromthem。
　　Afterall，someofthesestalkedstar—fisharesolikeflowers，liliesespecially，thattheyarecalledEncrinites；andthewholefamilyiscalledCrinoids，orlily—likecreatures，fromtheGreekworkKRINON，alily；andasforcoralsandcorallines，learnedmen，inspiteofalltheircareandshrewdness，mademistakeaftermistakeaboutthem，whichtheyhadtocorrectagainandagain，tillnow，Itrust，theyhavegotatsomethingverylikethetruth。
　　No，Ishallonlycallyousillyifyoudowhatsomelittleboysareapttodo——callotherboys，and，stillworse，servantsorpoorpeople，sillyfornotknowingwhattheycannotknow。
　　Butarenotpoorpeopleoftenverysillyaboutanimalsandplants？
　　Theboysatthevillageschoolsaythatslowwormsarepoisonous；
　　isnotthatsilly？
　　Notatall。Theyknowthataddersbite，andsotheythinkthatslowwormsbitetoo。Theyarewrong；andtheymustbetoldthattheyarewrong，andscoldediftheykillaslowworm。Butsillytheyarenot。
　　Butisitnotsillytofancythatswallowssleepallthewinteratthebottomofthepond？
　　Idonotthinkso。Theboyscannotknowwheretheswallowsgo；
　　andifyoutoldthem——whatistrue——thattheswallowsfindtheirwayeveryautumnthroughFrance，throughSpain，overtheStraitsofGibraltar，intoMorocco，andsome，Ibelieve，overthegreatdesertofZaharaintoNegroland：andifyoutoldthem——whatistruealso——thattheyoungswallowsactuallyfindtheirwayintoAfricawithouthavingbeenalongtheroadbefore；becausetheoldswallowsgosouthaweekortwofirst，andleavetheyoungonestoguessoutthewayforthemselves：ifyoutoldthemthat，thentheywouldhavearighttosay，"Doyouexpectustobelievethat？
　　Thatismuchmorewonderfulthanthattheswallowsshouldsleepinthepond。"
　　Butisit？
　　Yes；tothem。Theyknowthatbatsanddormiceandotherthingssleepallthewinter；sowhyshouldnotswallowssleep？Theyseetheswallowsaboutthewater，andoftendippingalmostintoit。
　　Theyknowthatfishesliveunderwater，andthatmanyinsects——
　　likeMay—fliesandcaddis—fliesandwater—beetles——livesometimesinthewater，sometimesintheopenair；andtheycannotknow——youdonotknow——whatitiswhichpreventsabird’slivingunderwater。Sotheirguessisreallyaveryfairone；nomoresillythanthatofthesavages，whowhentheyfirstsawthewhitemen’sships，withtheirhugesails，fanciedtheywereenormoussea—
　　birds；andwhentheyheardthecannonsfire，saidthattheshipsspokeinthunderandlightning。Theirguesswaswrong，butnotsilly；foritwasthebestguesstheycouldmake。
　　ButIdoknowofoneoldwomanwhowassilly。Shewasaboy’snurse，andshegavetheboyathingwhichshesaidwasoneofthesnakeswhichSt。Hildaturnedintostone；andtoldhimthattheyfoundplentyofthematWhitby，whereshewasborn，allcoiledup；
　　butwhatwasveryodd，theirheadshadalwaysbeenbrokenof。Andwhenhetookit，tohisfather，hetoldhimitwasonlyafossilshell——anAmmonite。Andhewentbackandlaughedathisnurse，andteasedhertillshewasquiteangry。
　　Thenhewasveryluckythatshedidnotboxhisears，forthatwaswhathedeserved。Idaresaythat，thoughhisnursehadneverheardofAmmonites，shewasawiseolddameenough，andknewahundredthingswhichhedidnotknow，andwhichwerefarmoreimportantthanAmmonites，eventohim。
　　How？
　　Becauseifshehadnotknownhowtonursehimwell，hewouldperhapshavenevergrownupaliveandstrong。Andifshehadnotknownhowtomakehimobeyandspeakthetruth，hemighthavegrownupanaughtyboy。
　　Butwasshenotsilly？
　　No。SheonlybelievedwhattheWhitbyfolk，Iunderstand，havesomeofthembelievedformanyhundredyears。Andnoonecanbeblamedforthinkingashisforefathersdid，unlesshehascausetoknowbetter。
　　Surelyshemighthaveknownbetter？
　　How？WhatreasoncouldshehavetobelievetheAmmonitewasashell？Itisnottheleastlikecockles，orwhelks，oranyshellsheeversaw。
　　WhatreasoneithercouldshehavetoguessthatWhitbycliffhadoncebeencoral—mud，atthebottomofthesea？Nomorereason，mydearchild，thanyouwouldhavetoguessthatthisstonehadbeencoral—mudlikewise，ifIdidnotteachyouso，——orrather，trytomakeyouteachyourselfso。
　　No。Isayitagain。Ifyouwishtolearn，Iwillonlyteachyouonconditionthatyoudonotlaughat，ordespise，thosegoodandhonestandablepeoplewhodonotknoworcareaboutthesethings，becausetheyhaveotherthingstothinkof：likeoldJohnoutthereploughing。Hewouldnotbelieveyou——hewouldhardlybelieveme——ifwetoldhimthatthisstonehadbeenonceaswarmoflivingthings，ofexquisiteshapesandgloriouscolours。Andyethecanploughandsow，andreapandmow，andfellandstrip，andhedgeandditch，andgivehisneighbourssoundadvice，andtakethemeasureofaman’sworthfromtenminutes’talk，andsayhisprayers，andkeephistemper，andpayhisdebts，——whichlastthreethingsaremorethanagoodmanyfolkscandowhofancythemselvesawholeworldwiserthanJohninthesmock—frock。
　　Oh，butIwanttohearabouttheexquisiteshapesandgloriouscolours。
　　Ofcourseyoudo，littleman。Afewfineepithetstakeyourfancyfarmorethanalittlecommonsenseandcommonhumility；butinthatyouarenoworsethansomeofyourelders。Sonowfortheexquisiteshapesandgloriouscolours。Ihaveneverseenthem；
　　thoughItrusttoseethemereIdie。SowhattheyarelikeIcanonlytellfromwhatIhavelearntfromMr。Darwin，andMr。
　　Wallace，andMr。Jukes，andMr。Gosse，andlast，butnotleast，fromonewhosesoulwasasbeautifulashisface，LucasBarrett，——
　　toosoonlosttoscience，——whowasdrownedinexploringsuchacoral—reefasthisstonewasonce。
　　Thentherearesuchthingsalivenow？
　　Yes，andno。Thedescendantsofmostofthemliveon，alteredbytime，whichaltersallthings；andfromthebeautyofthechildrenwecanguessatthebeautyoftheirancestors；justasfromthecoral—reefswhichexistnowwecanguesshowthecoral—reefsofoldweremade。Andthatthisstonewasoncepartofacoral—reefthecoralsinitproveatfirstsight。
　　Andwhatisacoral—reeflike？
　　YouhaveseentheroomintheBritishMuseumfullofcorals，madrepores，brain—stones，corallines，andsea—ferns？
　　Ohyes。
　　Thenfancyallthosealive。Notastheyarenow，whitestone：
　　butcoveredinjelly；andoutofeveryporealittlepolype，likeaflower，peepingout。Fancythemofeverygaudycolouryouchoose。Nobedofflowers，theysay，canbemorebrilliantthanthecorals，asyoulookdownonthemthroughtheclearsea。
　　Fancy，again，growingamongthemandcrawlingoverthem，strangesea—anemones，shells，star—fish，sea—slugs，andsea—cucumberswithfeatherygills，crabs，andshrimps，andhundredsofotheranimals，allasstrangeinshape，andasbrilliantincolour。Youmayletyourfancyrunwild。Nothingsoodd，nothingsogay，evenenteredyourdreams，orapoet’s，asyoumayfindaliveatthebottomofthesea，intheliveflower—gardensofthesea—fairies。
　　Therewillbeshoalsoffish，too，playinginandout，asstrangeandgaudyastherest，——parrot—fishwhobrowseonthelivecoralwiththeirbeak—liketeeth，ascattlebrowseongrass；andatthebottom，itmaybe，largeranduglierfish，whoeatthecrabsandshell—fish，shellsandall，grindingthemupasadoggrindsabone，andsoturningshellsandcoralsintofinesoftmud，suchasthisstoneispartlymadeof。
　　Butwhathappenstoallthedelicatelittlecoralsifastormcomeson？
　　What，indeed？MadamHowhasmadethemsowellandwisely，that，likebraveandgoodmen，themoretroubletheysufferthestrongertheyare。Dayandnight，weekafterweek，thetrade—windblowsuponthem，hurlingthewavesagainsttheminfurioussurf，knockingoffgreatlumpsofcoral，grindingthemtopowder，throwingthemoverthereefintotheshallowwaterinside。Buttheheavierthesurfbeatsuponthem，thestrongerthepolypesoutsidegrow，repairingtheirbrokenhouses，andbuildingupfreshcoralonthedeadcoralbelow，becauseitisinthefreshsea—
　　waterthatbeatsuponthesurfthattheyfindmostlimewithwhichtobuild。Andastheybuildtheyformabarrieragainstthesurf，insideofwhich，inwaterstillasglass，theweakerandmoredelicatethingscangrowinsafety，justastheseveryEncrinitesmayhavegrown，rootedinthelime—mud，andwavingtheirslenderarmsatthebottomoftheclearlagoon。Suchmightybuildersaretheselittlecoralpolypes，thatalltheworksofmenaresmallcomparedwiththeirs。Onesinglereef，forinstance，whichisentirelymadebythem，stretchesalongthenorth—eastcoastofAustraliafornearlyathousandmiles。OfthisyoumustreadsomedayinMr。Jukes’sVoyageofH。M。S。"Fly。"EveryislandthroughoutagreatpartofthePacificisfringedroundeachwithitscoral—reef，andtherearehundredsofislandsofstrangeshapes，andofAtolls，astheyarecalled，orring—islands，whicharecomposedentirelyofcoral，andofnothingelse。
　　Aring—island？Howcananislandbemadeintheshapeofaring？
　　Ah！itwasalongtimebeforemenfoundoutthatriddle。Mr。
　　Darwinwasthefirsttoguesstheanswer，ashehasguessedmanyananswerbeside。Theseislandsareeacharing，ornearlyaringofcoral，withsmoothshallowwaterinside：buttheiroutsidesrundown，likeamountainwall，sheerintoseashundredsoffathomsdeep。Peopleusedtobelieve，andreasonablyenough，thatthecoralpolypesbegantobuilduptheislandsfromtheverybottomofthedeepsea。
　　Butthatwouldnotaccountforthetopofthembeingoftheshapeofaring；andintimeitwasfoundoutthatthecoralswouldnotbuildexceptinshallowwater，twentyorthirtyfathomsdeepatmost，andmenwereattheirwits’endstofindouttheriddle。
　　ThensaidMr。Darwin，"SupposeoneofthosebeautifulSouthSeaIslands，likeTahiti，theQueenofIsles，withitsringofcoral—
　　reefallrounditsshore，begansinkingslowlyunderthesea。Theland，asitsunk，wouldbegoneforgoodandall：butthecoral—
　　reefrounditwouldnot，becausethecoralpolypeswouldbuildupandupcontinuallyupontheskeletonsoftheirdeadparents，togettothesurfaceofthewater，andwouldkeepclosetothetopoutside，howevermuchthelandsunkinside；andwhentheislandhadsunkcompletelybeneaththesea，whatwouldbeleft？Whatmustbeleftbutaringofcoralreef，aroundthespotwherethelastmountainpeakoftheislandsankbeneaththesea？"AndsoMr。DarwinexplainedtheshapesofhundredsofcoralislandsinthePacific；andproved，too，somestrangethingsbesides（heproved，andothermen，likeMr。Wallace，whoseexcellentbookontheEastIndianislandsyoumustreadsomeday，haveprovedinotherways）thattherewasonceagreatcontinent，joinedperhapstoAustraliaandtoNewGuinea，inthePacificOcean，whereisnownothingbutdeepsea，andcoral—reefswhichmarkthemountainrangesofthatsunkenworld。
　　Buthowdoesthecoraleverriseabovethesurfaceofthewaterandturnintohardstone？
　　Ofcoursethecoralpolypescannotbuildabovethehigh—tidemark；
　　butthesurfwhichbeatsuponthempilesuptheirbrokenfragmentsjustasasea—beachispiledup，andhammersthemtogetherwiththatwaterhammerwhichisheavierandstrongerthananyyouhaveeverseeninasmith’sforge。Andthen，asisthefashionoflime，thewholemasssetsandbecomeshard，asyoumayseemortarset；andsoyouhavealowislandafewfeetabovethesea。Thensea—birdscometoit，andrestandbuild；andseedsarefloatedthitherfromfarlands；andamongthemalmostalwaysthecocoa—
　　nut，whichlovestogrowbythesea—shore，andgrovesofcocoapalmsgrowupuponthelonelyisle。Then，perhaps，treesandbushesaredriftedthitherbeforethetrade—wind；andentangledintheirrootsareseedsofotherplants，andeggsorcocoonsofinsects；andsoafewflowersandafewbutterfliesandbeetlessetupforthemselvesuponthenewland。Andthenabirdortwo，caughtinastormandblownawaytoseafindsshelterinthecocoa—grove；andsoalittlenewworldissetup，inwhich（youmustrememberalways）therearenofour—footedbeasts，norsnakes，norlizards，norfrogs，noranyanimalsthatcannotcrossthesea。
　　Andonsomeofthoseislandstheymaylive（indeedthereisreasontobelievetheyhavelived），solong，thatsomeofthemhavechangedtheirforms，accordingtothelawsofMadamHow，whosoonerorlaterfitseachthingexactlyfortheplaceinwhichitismeanttolive，tilluponsomeofthemyoumayfindsuchstrangeanduniquecreaturesasthefamouscocoa—nutcrab，whichlearnedmencallBirguslatro。Agreatcrabheis，whowalksuponthetipsofhistoesafoothighabovetheground。Andbecausehehasoftennothingtoeatbutcocoa—nuts，oratleasttheyarethebestthingshecanfind，cocoa—nutshehaslearnedtoeat，andafterafashionwhichitwouldpuzzleyoutoimitate。Somesaythatheclimbsupthestemsofthecocoa—nuttrees，andpullsthefruitdownforhimself；butthat，itseems，hedoesnotusuallydo。
　　Whathedoesisthis：whenhefindsafallencocoa—nut，hebeginstearingawaythethickhuskandfibrewithhisstrongclaws；andheknowsperfectlywellwhichendtotearitfrom，namely，fromtheendwherethethreeeye—holesare，whichyoucallthemonkey’sface，outofoneofwhichyouknow，theyoungcocoa—nuttreewouldburstforth。Andwhenhehasgottotheeye—holes，hehammersthroughoneofthemwiththepointofhisheavyclaw。Sofar，sogood：buthowishetogetthemeatout？Hecannotputhisclawin。Hehasnoproboscislikeabutterflytoinsertandsuckwith。
　　Heisasfarofffromhisdinnerasthefoxwaswhenthestorkofferedhimafeastinalong—neckedjar。Whatthendoyouthinkhedoes？Heturnshimselfround，putsinapairofhishindpincers，whichareveryslender，andwiththemscoopsthemeatoutofthecocoa—nut，andsoputshisdinnerintohismouthwithhishindfeet。Andeventhecocoa—nuthuskhedoesnotwaste；forhelivesindeepburrowswhichhemakeslikearabbit；andbeingaluxuriouscrab，andlikingtosleepsoftinspiteofhishardshell，helinesthemwithaquantityofcocoa—nutfibre，pickedoutcleanandfine，justasifhewasgoingtomakecocoa—nutmattingofit。Andbeingalsoacleancrab，asIhopeyouareacleanlittleboy，hegoesdowntotheseaeverynighttohavehisbathandmoistenhisgills，andsoliveshappyallhisdays，andgetssofatinhisoldagethathecarriesabouthisbodynearlyaquartofpureoil。
　　Thatisthehistoryofthecocoa—nutcrab。Andifanyonetellsmethatthatcrabactsonlyonwhatiscalled"instinct"；anddoesnotthinkandreason，justasyouandIthinkandreason，thoughofcoursenotinwordsasyouandIdo：thenIshallbeinclinedtosaythatthatpersondoesnotthinknorreasoneither。
　　Thenweretheremanycoral—reefsinBritaininoldtimes？
　　Yes，manyandmany，againandagain；somewholeagesolderthanthis，abitofwhichyousee，andsomeagainwholeagesnewer。
　　Butlook：thenjudgeforyourself。Lookatthisgeologicalmap。
　　Whereveryouseeabitofblue，whichisthemarkforlimestone，youmaysay，"Thereisabitofoldcoral—reefrisinguptothesurface。"ButbecauseIwillnotpuzzleyourlittleheadwithtoomanythingsatonce，youshalllookatonesetofcoral—reefswhicharefarnewerthanthisbitofDudleylimestone，andwhicharethelargest，Isuppose，thateverwereinthiscountry；or，atleast，thereismoreofthemleftthanofanyothers。
　　LookfirstatIreland。YouseethatalmostallthemiddleofIrelandiscolouredblue。Itisonegreatsheetofoldcoral—reefandcoral—mud，whichisnowcalledthecarboniferouslimestone。
　　Youseeredandpurplepatchesrisingoutofit，likeislands——andislandsIsupposetheywere，ofhardandancientrock，standingupinthemiddleofthecoralsea。
　　Butlookagain，andyouwillseethatalongthewestcoastofIreland，exceptinaveryfewplaces，likeGalwayBay，thebluelimestonedoesnotcomedowntothesea；theshoreiscolouredpurpleandbrown，andthosecoloursmarktheancientrocksandhighmountainsofMayoandGalwayandKerry，whichstandasbarrierstokeeptheragingsurfoftheAtlanticfromburstinginlandandbeatingaway，asitsurelywouldincourseoftime，thelowflatlimestoneplainofthemiddleofIreland。Butthesamecoral—reefsoncestretchedoutfartothewestwardintotheAtlanticOcean；andyoumayseetheproofuponthatmap。Forinthewesternbays，inClewBaywithitshundredislands，andGalwayBaywithitsIslesofArran，andbeautifulKenmare，andbeautifulBantry，youseelittlebluespots，whicharelowlimestoneislands，standinginthesea，overhungbymountainsfaraloft。
　　YouhaveoftenheardthoseislandsinKenmareBaytalkedof，andhowsomewhomyouknowgotofishroundthembynightforturbotandconger；andwhenyouhearthemspokenofagain，youmustrecollectthattheyarethelastfragmentsofagreatfringingcoral—reef，whichwillinafewthousandyearsfollowthefateoftherest，andbeeatenupbythewaves，whilethemountainsofhardrockstandroundthemstillunchanged。
　　NowlookatEngland，andthereyouwillseepatchesatleastofagreatcoral—reefwhichwasformingatthesametimeasthatIrishone，andonwhichperhapssomeofyourschoolfellowshaveoftenstood。YouhaveheardofSt。Vincent’sRocksatBristol，andthemarblecliffs，250feetinheight，coveredinpartwithrichwoodandrareflowers，andtheAvonrunningthroughthenarrowgorge，andthestatelyshipssailingfarbelowyourfeetfromBristoltotheSevernsea。Andyoumaysee，forheretheyare，coralsfromSt。Vincent’sRocks，cutandpolished，showingtoothattheyalso，liketheDudleylimestone，aremadeupofcoralsandofcoral—mud。
　　Now，wheneveryouseeSt。Vincent’sRocks，asIsuspectyouverysoonwill，recollectwhereyouare，anduseyourfancy，topaintforyourselfapictureasstrangeasitistrue。Fancythatthoserocksarewhattheyoncewere，acoral—reefclosetothesurfaceofashallowsea。FancythatthereisnogorgeoftheAvon，nowideSevernsea——forthosewereeatenoutbywateragesandagesafterwards。Butpicturetoyourselfthecoralseareachingawaytothenorth，tothefootoftheWelshmountains；andthenfancyyourself，ifyouwill，inacanoe，paddlingupthroughthecoral—
　　reefs，northandstillnorth，upthevalleydownwhichtheSevernnowflows，upthroughwhatisnowWorcestershire，thenupthroughStaffordshire，thenthroughDerbyshire，intoYorkshire，andsoonthroughDurhamandNorthumberland，tillyourfindyourselfstoppedbytheEttrickhillsinScotland；whilealltothewestwardofyou，whereisnowthegreaterpartofEngland，wasopensea。Youmaysay，ifyouknowanythingofthegeographyofEngland，"Impossible！Thatwouldbetopaddleoverthetopsofhighmountains；overthetopofthePeakinDerbyshire，overthetopofHighCravenandWhernsideandPen—y—gentandCrossFell，andtopaddletooovertheCheviotHills，whichpartEnglandandScotland。"Iknowit，mychild，Iknowit。Butsoitwasonceonatime。ThehighlimestonemountainswhichpartLancashireandYorkshire——theverychineandbackboneofEngland——wereoncecoral—reefsatthebottomofthesea。Theyareallmadeupofthecarboniferouslimestone，socalled，asyourlittleknowledgeofLatinoughttotellyou，becauseitcarriesthecoal；becausethecoalfieldsusuallylieuponit。Itmaybeimpossibleinyoureyes：butrememberalwaysthatnothingisimpossiblewithGod。
　　Butyousaidthatthecoalwasmadefromplantsandtrees，anddidplantsandtreesgrowonthiscoral—reef？
　　ThatIcannotsay。Treesmayhavegrownonthedrypartsofthereef，ascocoa—nutsgrownowinthePacific。Butthecoalwasnotlaiddownuponittilllongafterwards，whenithadgonethroughmanyandstrangechanges。ForallthroughthechineofEngland，andinapartofIrelandtoo，thereliesuponthetopofthelimestoneahardgrittyrock，insomeplacesthreethousandfeetthick，whichiscommonlycalled"themill—stonegrit。"Andabovethatagainthecoalbegins。Nowtomakethat3000feetofhardrock，whatmusthavehappened？Thesea—bottommusthavesunk，slowlynodoubt，carryingthecoral—reefsdownwithit，3000feetatleast。Andmeanwhilesandandmud，madefromthewearingawayoftheoldlandsintheNorthmusthavesettleddownuponit。I
　　sayfromtheNorth——fortherearenofossils，asfarasIknow，orsignoflife，intheserocksofmill—stonegrit；andthereforeitisreasonabletosupposethattheywerebroughtfromacoldcurrentatthePole，toocoldtoallowsea—beaststolive，——quitecoldenough，certainly，tokillcoralinsects，whocouldonlythriveinwarmwatercomingfromtheSouth。
　　Then，togoonwithmystory，uponthetopofthesemill—stonegritscamesandandmud，andpeat，andtrees，andplants，washedouttosea，asfaraswecanguess，fromthemouthsofvastriversflowingfromtheWest，riversasvastastheAmazon，theMississippi，ortheOrinocoarenow；andsoinlongages，uponthetopofthelimestoneanduponthetopofthemill—stonegrit，werelaiddownthosebedsofcoalwhichyouseeburntnowineveryfire。
　　Buthowdidthecoral—reefsrisetilltheybecamecliffsatBristolandmountainsinYorkshire？
　　Theearthquakesteam，Isuppose，raisedthem。Oneearthquakeindeed，orseriesofearthquakes，therewas，runningalongbetweenLancashireandYorkshire，whichmadethatvastcrackandupheavalintherocks，theCravenFault，running，Ibelieve，formorethanahundredmiles，andliftingtherocksinsomeplacesseveralhundredfeet。ThatearthquakehelpedtomakethehighhillswhichoverhangManchesterandPreston，andallthemanufacturingcountyofLancashire。ThatearthquakehelpedtomaketheperpendicularcliffatMalhamCove，andmanyanotherbeautifulbitofscenery。
　　Andthatandotherearthquakes，byheatingtherocksfromthefiresbelow，mayhavehelpedtochangethemfromsoftcoralintohardcrystallinemarbleasyouseethemnow，justasvolcanicheathashardenedandpurifiedthebeautifulwhitemarblesofPentelicusandParosinGreece，andCarrarainItaly，fromwhichstatuesarecarveduntothisday。Orthesameearthquakemayhaveheatedandhardenedthelimestonessimplybygrindingandsqueezingthem；ortheymayhavebeenheatedandhardenedinthecourseoflongagessimplybytheweightofthethousandsoffeetofotherrockwhichlayuponthem。Forpressure，youmustremember，producesheat。Whenyoustrikeflintandsteeltogether，thepressureoftheblownotonlymakesbitsofsteelflyoff，butmakesthemflyoffinred—hotsparks。Whenyouhammerapieceofironwithahammer，youwillsoonfinditgetquitewarm。Whenyousqueezetheairtogetherinyourpop—gun，youactuallymaketheairinsidewarmer，tillthepelletfliesout，andtheairexpandsandcoolsagain。Nay，Ibelieveyoucannotholdupastoneonthepalmofyourhandwithoutthatstoneafterawhilewarmingyourhand，becauseitpressesagainstyouintryingtofall，andyoupressagainstitintryingtoholditup。
　　Andrecollectaboveallthegreatandbeautifulexampleofthatlawwhichyouwereluckyenoughtoseeonthenightofthe14thofNovember1867，howthosefallingstars，asItoldyouthen，werecomingoutofboundlessspace，colderthananyiceonearth，andyet，simplybypressingagainsttheairaboveourheads，theyhadtheirmotionturnedintoheat，tilltheyburnedthemselvesupintotrainsoffierydust。Sorememberthatwhereveryouhavepressureyouhaveheat，andthatthepressureoftheupperrocksuponthelowerisquiteenough，somethink，toaccountfortheolderandlowerrocksbeingharderthantheupperandnewerones。
　　Butwhyshouldthelowerrocksbeolderandtheupperrocksnewer？
　　YoutoldmejustnowthatthehighmountainsinWaleswereagesolderthanWindsorForest，uponwhichwestand：butyethowmuchlowerweareherethanifwewereonaWelshmountain。
　　Ah，mydearchild，ofcoursethatpuzzlesyou，andIamafraiditmustpuzzleyoustilltillwehaveanothertalk；orratheritseemstomethatthebestwaytoexplainthatpuzzletoyouwouldbeforyouandmetogoajourneyintothefarwest，andlookintothematterforourselves；andfromheretothefarwestwewillgo，eitherinfancyoronarealrailroadandsteamboat，beforewehaveanothertalkaboutthesethings。
　　Nowitistimetostop。Isthereanythingmoreyouwanttoknow？
　　foryoulookasifsomethingwaspuzzlingyoustill。
　　Werethereanymenintheworldwhileallthiswasgoingon？
　　Ithinknot。Wehavenoproofthattherewerenot：butalsowehavenoproofthattherewere；thecave—men，ofwhomItoldyou，livedmanyagesafterthecoalwascoveredup。Youseemtobesorrythattherewerenomenintheworldthen。
　　Becauseitseemsapitythattherewasnoonetoseethosebeautifulcoral—reefsandcoal—forests。
　　Noonetoseethem，mychild？Whotoldyouthat？Whotoldyoutherearenot，andneverhavebeenanyrationalbeingsinthisvastuniverse，savecertainweak，ignorant，short—sightedcreaturesshapedlikeyouandme？Butevenifitwereso，andnocreatedeyehadeverbeheldthoseancientwonders，andnocreatedhearteverenjoyedthem，istherenotoneUncreatedwhohasseenthemandenjoyedthemfromthebeginning？Werenotthesecreaturesenjoyingthemselveseachaftertheirkind？AndwastherenotaFatherinHeavenwhowasenjoyingtheirenjoyment，andenjoyingtootheirbeauty，whichHehadformedaccordingtotheideasofHisEternalMind？RecollectwhatyouweretoldonTrinitySunday——Thatthisworldwasnotmadeformanalone：butthatman，andthisworld，andthewholeUniversewasmadeforGod；
　　forHecreatedallthings，andforHispleasuretheyare，andwerecreated。
　　CHAPTERX——FIELDANDWILD
　　Wherewerewetogonext？Intothefarwest，toseehowallthewayalongtherailroadsthenewrocksandsoilslieabovetheolder，andyethow，whenwegetwestward，theoldestrocksrisehighestintotheair。
　　Well，wewillgo：butnot，Ithink，to—day。IndeedIhardlyknowhowwecouldgetasfarasReading；foralltheworldisinthehay—field，andeventheoldhorsemustgothithertoo，andtakehisturnatthehay—cart。Well，therockshavebeenwheretheyareformanyayear，andtheywillwaitourleisurepatientlyenough：butMidsummerandthehay—fieldwillnotwait。LetustakewhatGodgiveswhenHesendsit，andlearnthelessonthatliesnearesttous。Afterall，itismoretomyoldmind，andperhapstoyouryoungmindtoo，tolookatthingswhichareyoungandfreshandliving，ratherthanthingswhichareoldandwornanddead。Letusleavetheoldstones，andtheoldbones，andtheoldshells，thewrecksofancientworldswhichhavegonedownintothekingdomofdeath，toteachustheirgrandlessonssomeotherday；andletuslooknowattheworldoflightandlifeandbeauty，whichbeginshereattheopendoor，andstretchesawayoverthehay—fields，overthewoods，overthesouthernmoors，oversunnyFrance，andsunnierSpain，andoverthetropicseas，downtotheequator，andthepalm—grovesoftheeternalsummer。Ifwecannotfindsomething，evenatstartingfromtheopendoor，toteachusaboutWhyandHow，wemustbeveryshort—sighted，orveryshallow—hearted。
　　Thereistheoldcockstarlingscreechingintheeaves，becausehewantstofrightenusaway，andtakeawormtohischildren，withoutourfindingoutwhereaboutshisholeis。Howdoesheknowthatwemighthurthim？andhowagaindoeshenotknowthatweshallnothurthim？we，whoforfive—and—twentyyearshavelethimandhisancestorsbuildunderthoseeavesinpeace？Howdidhegetthatquantityofhalf—wit，thatsortofstupidcunning，intohislittlebrain，andyetgetnomore？Andwhy（forthisisaquestionofWhy，andnotofHow）doeshelabouralldaylong，huntingforwormsandinsectsforhischildren，whilehiswifenursestheminthenest？Why，too，didhehelphertobuildthatnestwithtoilandcarethisspring，forthesakeofasetofnestlingswhocanbeofnogainorusetohim，butonlytakethefoodoutofhismouth？Simplyoutof——whatshallIcallit，mychild？——Love；thatsamesenseofloveandduty，comingsurelyfromthatoneFountainofalldutyandalllove，whichmakesyourfatherworkforyou。Thatthemothershouldtakecareofheryoung，iswonderfulenough；butthat（atleastamongmanybirds）
　　thefathershouldhelplikewise，is（asyouwillfindoutasyougrowolder）morewonderfulfar。SotherealreadytheoldstarlinghassetustwofreshpuzzlesaboutHowandWhy，neitherofwhichweshallgetanswered，atleastonthissideofthegrave。
　　Comeon，upthefield，underthegreatgeneroussun，whoquarrelswithnoone，grudgesnoone，butshinesalikeupontheevilandthegood。Whatagaypictureheispaintingnow，withhislight—
　　pencils；forinthem，remember，andnotinthethingsthemselvesthecolourlies。Seehow，wherethehayhasbeenalreadycarried，hefloodsalltheslopeswithyellowlight，makingthemstandoutsharpagainsttheblackshadowsofthewood；whilewherethegrassisstandingstill，hemakesthesheetsofsorrel—flowerblushrosyred，ordapplesthefieldwithwhiteoxeyes。
　　Butisnotthesorrelitselfred，andtheoxeyeswhite？
　　Whatcolouraretheyatnight，whenthesunisgone？
　　Dark。
　　Thatis，nocolour。Theverygrassisnotgreenatnight。
　　Oh，butitisifyoulookatitwithalantern。
　　No，no。Itisthelightofthelantern，whichhappenstobestrongenoughtomaketheleaveslookgreen，thoughitisnotstrongenoughtomakeageraniumlookred。
　　Notred？
　　No；thegeraniumflowersbyalanternlookblack，whiletheleaveslookgreen。Ifyoudon’tbelieveme，wewilltry。
　　Butwhyisthat？
　　Why，Icannottell：andhow，youhadbestaskProfessorTyndall，ifyoueverhavethehonourofmeetinghim。
　　Butnow——harktothemowing—machine，humminglikeagiantnight—
　　jar。Comeupandlookatit，andseehowswiftandsmoothitshearsthelonggrassdown，sothatinthemiddleoftheswatheitseemstohavemerelyfallenflat，andyoumustmoveitbeforeyoufindthatithasbeencutoff。
　　Ah，thereisaprooftousofwhatmenmaydoiftheywillonlylearnthelessonswhichMadamHowcanteachthem。Thereisthatboy，freshfromtheNationalSchool，cuttingmoregrassinadaythansixstrongmowerscouldhavecut，andcuttingitbetter，too；
　　forthemowing—machinegoessomuchnearertothegroundthanthescythe，thatwegainbyittwohundredweightofhayoneveryacre。
　　Andsee，too，howperseveringoldMadamHowwillnotstopherwork，thoughthemachinehascutoffallthegrasswhichshehasbeenmakingforthelastthreemonths；forasfastasweshearitoff，shemakesitgrowagain。Therearefreshblades，hereatourfeet，afullinchlong，whichhavesprungupinthelasttwodays，forthecattlewhentheyareturnedinnextweek。
　　Butifthemachinecutsallthegrass，thepoormowerswillhavenothingtodo。
　　Notso。Theyareallbusyenoughelsewhere。Thereisplentyofotherworktobedone，thankGod；andwholesomerandeasierworkthanmowingwithaburningsunontheirbacks，drinkinggallonsofbeer，andgettingfirsthotandthencoldacrosstheloins，tilltheylayinastoreoflumbagoandsciatica，tocripplethemintheiroldage。Youdelightinmachinerybecauseitiscurious：
　　youshoulddelightinitbesidesbecauseitdoesgood，andnothingbutgood，whereitisused，accordingtothelawsofLadyWhy，withcare，moderation，andmercy，andfair—playbetweenmanandman。Forexample：justasthemowing—machinesavesthemowers，thethreshing—machinesavesthethreshersfromrheumatismandchestcomplaints，——whichtheyusedtocatchinthedraughtanddustoftheunhealthiestplaceinthewholeparish，whichis，theold—fashionedbarn’sfloor。Andso，wemayhope，infutureyearsallheavydrudgeryanddirtyworkwillbedonemoreandmorebymachines，andpeoplewillhavemoreandmorechanceofkeepingthemselvescleanandhealthy，andmoreandmoretimetoread，andlearn，andthink，andbetruecivilisedmenandwomen，insteadofbeingmereliveploughs，orlivemanure—carts，suchasIhaveseenerenow。
　　Alivemanure—cart？
　　Yes，child。Ifyouhadseen，asIhaveseen，inforeignlands，poorwomen，haggard，dirty，grownoldbeforetheiryouthwasover，toilinguphillwithbasketsoffoulmanureupontheirbacks，youwouldhavesaid，asIhavesaid，"OhforMadamHowtocurethatignorance！OhforLadyWhytocurethatbarbarism！OhthatMadamHowwouldteachthemthatmachinerymustalwaysbecheaperinthelongrunthanhumanmusclesandnerves！OhthatLadyWhywouldteachthemthatawomanisthemostpreciousthingonearth，andthatifshebeturnedintoabeastofburden，LadyWhy——andMadamHowlikewise——willsurelyavengethewrongsoftheirhumansister！"There，youdonotquiteknowwhatImean，andIdonotcarethatyoushould。Itisgoodforlittlefolkthatbigfolkshouldnowandthen"talkovertheirheads，"asthesayingis，andmakethemfeelhowignoranttheyare，andhowmanysolemnandearnestquestionsthereareintheworldonwhichtheymustmakeuptheirmindssomeday，thoughnotyet。Butnowwewilltalkaboutthehay：orratherdoyouandtherestgoandplayinthehayandgatheritup，buildfortsofit，stormthem，pullthemdown，buildthemupagain，shout，laugh，andscreamtillyouarehotandtired。YouwillpleaseMadamHowthereby，andLadyWhylikewise。
　　How？
　　BecauseMadamHownaturallywantsherworktosucceed，andsheisatworknowmakingyou。
　　Makingme？
　　Ofcourse。Makingamanofyou，outofaboy。Andthatcanonlybedonebythelife—bloodwhichrunsthroughandthroughyou。Andthemoreyoulaughandshout，themorepureairwillpassintoyourblood，andmakeitredandhealthy；andthemoreyourompandplay——unlessyouovertireyourself——thequickerwillthatbloodflowthroughallyourlimbs，tomakeboneandmuscle，andhelpyoutogrowintoaman。
　　ButwhydoesLadyWhyliketoseeusplay？
　　Shelikestoseeyouhappy，asshelikestoseethetreesandbirdshappy。Forsheknowswellthatthereisnofood，normedicineeither，likehappiness。Ifpeoplearenothappyenough，theyareoftentemptedtodomanywrongdeeds，andtothinkmanywrongthoughts：andifbyGod’sgracetheyknowthelawsofLadyWhy，andkeepfromsin，stillunhappiness，ifitgoesontoolong，wearsthemout，bodyandmind；andtheygrowillanddie，ofbrokenhearts，andbrokenbrains，mychild；andsoatlast，poorsouls，find"RestbeneaththeCross。"
　　Children，too，whoareunhappy；childrenwhoarebullied，andfrightened，andkeptdullandsilent，neverthrive。Theirbodiesdonotthrive；fortheygrowupweak。Theirmindsdonotthrive；
　　fortheygrowupdull。Theirsoulsdonotthrive；fortheylearnmean，sly，slavishways，whichGodforbidyoushouldeverlearn。
　　Wellsaidthewiseman，"Thehumanplant，likethevegetables，canonlyflowerinsunshine。"
　　Sodoyougo，andenjoyyourselfinthesunshine；butrememberthis——Youknowwhathappinessis。ThenifyouwishtopleaseLadyWhy，andLadyWhy’sLordandKinglikewise，youwillneverpassalittlechildwithouttryingtomakeithappier，evenbyapassingsmile。Andnowbeoff，andplayinthehay，andcomebacktomewhenyouaretired。
　　*****
　　Letusliedownatthefootofthisoldoak，andseewhatwecansee。
　　Andhearwhatwecanhear，too。Whatisthathummingallroundus，nowthatthenoisymowing—machinehasstopped？
　　Andasmuchsofterthanthenoiseofmowing—machinehum，asthemachineswhichmakeitaremoredelicateandmorecurious。MadamHowisaveryskilfulworkwoman，andhaseyeswhichseedeeperandclearerthanallmicroscopes；asyouwouldfind，ifyoutriedtoseewhatmakesthat"Midsummerhum"ofwhichthehaymakersaresofond，becauseitpromisesfairweather。
　　Why，itisonlythegnatsandflies。
　　Onlythegnatsandflies？Youmightstudythosegnatsandfliesforyourwholelifewithoutfindingoutall——ormorethanaverylittle——aboutthem。IwishIknewhowtheymovethosetinywingsoftheirs——athousandtimesinasecond，Idaresay，someofthem。
　　IwishIknewhowfartheyknowthattheyarehappy——forhappytheymustbe，whethertheyknowitornot。IwishIknewhowtheyliveatall。IwishIevenknewhowmanysortstherearehummingroundusatthismoment。
　　Howmanykinds？Threeorfour？
　　Moreprobablythirtyorfortyroundthissingletree。
　　Butwhyshouldtherebesomanykindsoflivingthings？Wouldnotoneortwohavedonejustaswell？
　　Why，indeed？Whyshouldtherenothavebeenonlyonesortofbutterfly，andheonlyofonecolour，aplainbrown，oraplainwhite？
　　Andwhyshouldtherebesomanysortsofbirds，allrobbingthegardenatonce？Thrushes，andblackbirds，andsparrows，andchaffinches，andgreenfinches，andbullfinches，andtomtits。
　　Andtherearefourkindsoftomtitsroundhere，remember：butwemaygoonwithsuchtalkforever。Wisermenthanwehaveaskedthesamequestion：butLadyWhywillnotanswerthemyet。
　　However，thereisanotherquestion，whichMadamHowseemsinclinedtoanswerjustnow，whichisalmostasdeepandmysterious。
　　What？
　　HOWallthesedifferentkindsofthingsbecamedifferent。
　　Oh，dotellme！
　　NotI。Youmustbeginatthebeginning，beforeyoucanendattheend，orevenmakeonesteptowardstheend。
　　Whatdoyoumean？
　　Youmustlearnthedifferencesbetweenthings，beforeyoucanfindouthowthosedifferencescameabout。YoumustlearnMadamHow’salphabetbeforeyoucanreadherbook。AndMadamHow’salphabetofanimalsandplantsis，Species，Kindsofthings。Youmustseewhicharelike，andwhichunlike；whattheyarelikein，andwhattheyareunlikein。Youarebeginningtodothatwithyourcollectionofbutterflies。Youliketoarrangethem，andthosethataremostlikenearesttoeachother，andtocomparethem。
　　YoumustdothatwiththousandsofdifferentkindsofthingsbeforeyoucanreadonepageofMadamHow’sNaturalHistoryBookrightly。
　　Butitwilltakesomuchtimeandsomuchtrouble。
　　Godgrantthatyoumaynotspendmoretimeonworsematters，andtakemoretroubleoverthingswhichwillprofityoufarless。Butsoitmustbe，willy—nilly。Youmustlearnthealphabetifyoumeantoread。Andyoumustlearnthevalueofthefiguresbeforeyoucandoasum。Why，whatwouldyouthinkofanyonewhosatdowntoplayatcards——formoneytoo（whichIhopeandtrustyouneverwilldo）——beforeheknewthenamesofthecards，andwhichcountedhighest，andtooktheother？
　　Ofcoursehewouldbeveryfoolish。
　　Justasfoolisharethosewhomakeup"theories"（astheycallthem）aboutthisworld，andhowitwasmade，beforetheyhavefoundoutwhattheworldismadeof。Youmightaswelltrytofindouthowthishay—fieldwasmade，withoutfindingoutfirstwhatthehayismadeof。
　　Howthehay—fieldwasmade？Wasitnotalwaysahay—field？
　　Ah，yes；theoldstory，mychild：Wasnottheearthalwaysjustwhatitisnow？Letusseeforourselveswhetherthiswasalwaysahay—field。
　　How？
　　Justpickoutallthedifferentkindsofplantsandflowersyoucanfindroundushere。Howmanydoyouthinkthereare？
　　Oh——thereseemtobefourorfive。
　　Justastherewerethreeorfourkindsoffliesintheair。Pickthem，child，andcount。Letushavefacts。
　　Howmany？What！adozenalready？
　　Yes——andhereisanother，andanother。Why，IhavegotIdon’tknowhowmany。
　　Whynot？Bringthemhere，andletussee。Ninekindsofgrasses，andarush。Sixkindsofcloversandvetches；andbesides，dandelion，andrattle，andoxeye，andsorrel，andplantain，andbuttercup，andalittlestitchwort，andpignut，andmouse—earhawkweed，too，whichnobodywants。
　　Why？
　　BecausetheyareasignthatIamnotagoodfarmerenough，andhavenotquiteturnedmyWildintoField。
　　Whatdoyoumean？
　　Lookoutsidetheboundaryfence，atthemoorsandwoods；theyareforest，Wild——"Wald，"astheGermanswouldcallit。InsidethefenceisField——"Feld，"astheGermanswouldcallit。Guesswhy？
　　Isitbecausethetreesinsidehavebeenfelled？
　　Well，somesayso，whoknowmorethanI。Butnowgooverthefence，andseehowmanyoftheseplantsyoucanfindonthemoor。
　　Oh，IthinkIknow。Iamsooftenonthemoor。
　　Ithinkyouwouldfindmorekindsoutsidethanyoufancy。Butwhatdoyouknow？
　　Thatbesidesomeshortfinegrassaboutthecattle—paths，therearehardlyanygrassesonthemoorsavedeer’shairandglade—
　　grass；andalltherestisheath，andmoss，andfurze，andfern。
　　Softly——notall；youhaveforgottenthebogplants；andthereare（asIsaid）manymoreplantsbesideonthemoorthanyoufancy。
　　Butwewilllookintothatanothertime。Atallevents，theplantsoutsideareonthewholequitedifferentfromthehay—
　　field。
　　Ofcourse：thatiswhatmakesthefieldlookgreenandthemoorbrown。
　　Notadoubt。Theyaresodifferent，thattheylooklikebitsoftwodifferentcontinents。ScramblingoverthefenceislikescramblingoutofEuropeintoAustralia。Now，howwasthatdifferencemade？Think。Don’tguess，butthink。Whydoestherichgrasscomeuptothebank，andyetnotspreadbeyondit？
　　Isupposebecauseitcannotgetover。
　　Notgetover？Wouldnotthewindblowtheseeds，andthebirdscarrythem？Theydogetover，inmillions，Idon’tdoubt，everysummer。
　　Thenwhydotheynotgrow？
　　Think。
　　Isthereanydifferenceinthesoilinsideandout？
　　Averygoodguess。Butguessesarenousewithoutfacts。Look。
　　Oh，Iremembernow。Iknownowthesoilofthefieldisbrown，likethegarden；andthesoilofthemoorallblackandpeaty。
　　Yes。Butifyoudigdowntwoorthreefeet，youwillfindthesoilsofthemoorandthefieldjustthesame。Soperhapsthetopsoilswereoncebothalike。
　　Iknow。
　　Well，andwhatdoyouthinkaboutitnow？Iwantyoutolookandthink。Iwanteveryonetolookandthink。Halfthemiseryintheworldcomesfirstfromnotlooking，andthenfromnotthinking。AndIdonotwantyoutobemiserable。
　　ButshallIbemiserableifIdonotfindoutsuchlittlethingsasthis。
　　Youwillbemiserableifyoudonotlearntounderstandlittlethings：becausethenyouwillnotbeabletounderstandgreatthingswhenyoumeetthem。Childrenwhoarenottrainedtousetheireyesandtheircommonsensegrowupthemoremiserablethecleverertheyare。
　　Why？
　　Becausetheygrowupwhatmencalldreamers，andbigots，andfanatics，causingmiserytothemselvesandtoallwhodealwiththem。SoIsayagain，think。
　　Well，Isupposemenmusthavealteredthesoilinsidethebank。
　　Welldone。Butwhydoyouthinkso？
　　Because，ofcourse，someonemadethebank；andthebrownsoilonlygoesuptoit。
　　Well，thatissomethinglikecommonsense。Nowyouwillnotsayanymore，asthecowsorthebutterfliesmight，thatthehay—fieldwasalwaysthere。
　　Andhowdidmenchangethesoil？
　　Bytillingitwiththeplough，tosweetenit，andmanuringit，tomakeitrich。
　　Andthendidallthesebeautifulgrassesgrowupofthemselves？
　　Yououghttoknowthattheymostlikelydidnot。Youknowthenewenclosures？
　　Yes。
　　Wellthen，dorichgrassescomeuponthem，nowthattheyarebrokenup？
　　Ohno，nothingbutgroundsel，andafewweeds。
　　Justwhat，Idaresay，cameuphereatfirst。Butthislandwastilledforcorn，forhundredsofyears，Ibelieve。Andjustaboutonehundredyearsagoitwaslaiddowningrass；thatis，sownwithgrassseeds。
　　Andwheredidmengetthegrassseedsfrom？
　　Ah，thatisalongstory；andonethatshowsourforefathers（thoughtheyknewnothingaboutrailroadsorelectricity）werenotsuchsimpletonsassomefolksthink。Thewayitmusthavebeendonewasthis。Menwatchedthenaturalpastureswherecattlegetfatonthewildgrass，astheydointheFens，andmanyotherpartsofEngland。Andthentheysavedtheseedsofthosefatteningwildgrasses，andsowedtheminfreshspots。Oftentheymademistakes。Theywerecareless，andgotweedsamongtheseed——
　　likethebuttercups，whichdosomuchharmtothispasture。Ortheysowedonsoilwhichwouldnotsuittheseed，anditdied。
　　Butatlast，aftermanyfailures，theyhavegrownsocarefulandsoclever，thatyoumaysendtocertainshops，sayingwhatsortofsoilyoursis，andtheywillsendyoujusttheseedswhichwillgrowthere，andnoother；andthenyouhaveagoodpastureforaslongasyouchoosetokeepitgood。