Part 2

I. MICROSCOPIC BRAINS 3

II. A WAYSIDE BERRY 16

III. IN SUMMER FIELDS 25

IV. A SPRIG OF WATER CROWFOOT 36

V. SLUGS AND SNAILS 48

VI. A STUDY OF BONES 59

VII. BLUE MUD 67

VIII. CUCKOO-PINT 77

IX. BERRIES AND BERRIES 87

X. DISTANT RELATIONS 96

XI. AMONG THE HEATHER 105

XII. SPECKLED TROUT 114

XIII. DODDER AND BROOMRAPE 124

XIV. DOG'S MERCURY AND PLANTAIN 133

XV. BUTTERFLY PSYCHOLOGY 142

XVI. BUTTERFLY ÆSTHETICS 153

XVII. THE ORIGIN OF WALNUTS 161

XVIII. A PRETTY LAND-SHELL 172

XIX. DOGS AND MASTERS 181

XX. BLACKCOCK 189

XXI. BINDWEED 198

XXII. ON CORNISH CLIFFS 207

A BALLADE OF EVOLUTION.

In the mud of the Cambrian main Did our earliest ancestor dive: From a shapeless albuminous grain We mortals our being derive. He could split himself up into five, Or roll himself round like a ball; For the fittest will always survive, While the weakliest go to the wall.

As an active ascidian again Fresh forms he began to contrive, Till he grew to a fish with a brain, And brought forth a mammal alive. With his rivals he next had to strive, To woo him a mate and a thrall; So the handsomest managed to wive, While the ugliest went to the wall.

At length as an ape he was fain The nuts of the forest to rive; Till he took to the low-lying plain, And proceeded his fellow to knive. Thus did cannibal men first arrive, One another to swallow and maul; And the strongest continued to thrive, While the weakliest went to the wall.

ENVOY.

Prince, in our civilised hive, Now money's the measure of all; And the wealthy in coaches can drive, While the needier go to the wall.