keeping them in order, might be disposed of to greater advantage in other ways. Hedges, it is to be feared, will never suit our climate—in this State, at least—unless it be our own evergreen shrubs. The hemlock is now coming into use for this purpose, in some neighborhoods. As regards appearances, hedges, close at hand, are very pleasing; but at a little distance, they are scarcely an improvement upon the fence: they are still dark, stiff lines, crossing the country with a net-work of enclosures. Probably we might at least do with much less fencing in this country; it often strikes one that fields are unnecessarily cut up in this way.
Monday, 27th.—There is an insect very common in the lower parts of the State, which we never see here: the ball-rolling beetle, so much resembling the sacred scarabæus of the Egyptians. One observes them on all the roads about New York and on Long Island, but we have never yet seen them in this county. If they exist here at all, they must be very rare. The sacred beetle of the Egyptians is said to have been rather larger than our insect of the same kind.
Tuesday, 28th.—Very pleasant, mild weather. Charming today; walking excellent. The farmers were right: we have had very pleasant weather after those cold days early in the month.
Wednesday, 29th.—Very pleasant; observed gnats in some places this afternoon.
Thursday, 30th.—Pleasant. Long walk in the bare, open woods; neither heard nor saw a bird.
| “ | Le bocage était sans mystère |
| Le rossignol était sans voix.” |
The long yellow petals have fallen from the wych-hazel; the
