As insensible as …
Of course, we can't know (yet) how insensible a fungus is, but until we learn otherwise, what a memorable way...
Glaucous-green field
I found myself wondering just what shade of green is glaucous, and learning that it is either 'a dull greyish-green...
The thoughts of a pig
A wonderfully involved tail of a pig's escape and eventual recapture.
Firstly, a protracted endeavour to find him, eventually discovered...
Pattern-working chaplain
Thoreau isn't a big fan of chaplains and other purveyors of religion and here he takes a swipe at three...
Faint-croaking frogs
Thoreau is notably patient in observing nature, able to stand still for half an hour or more, to let the...
Power implied
Something whistlingly clean about this; good writing hitting its target with speed and precision, and a latent force behind every...
Don’t try this trick at home
What a joy to read this sentence; there is no limit to the detail and originality of Thoreau's observations.
'A...
Craven-hearted neighbours
This refers to Thoreau's outrage at the callous reaction of his neighbours to the death of John Brown on the...
Like the lowing of a cow
Nature's hoarse summer voice? Wind shuffling leaves and crickets rubbing hands together? I like the metaphor, but nevertheless can't quite...
Heroic journals
All laud to Labaume, going to such heroic lengths to write his journal. I will have to introduce this makeshift...
The fungus and the toadstool
Thoreau has a habit of bringing interesting things home from his walks the better to observe them. Twigs, fungi, animals...
Frog-like philosophy
While I have no idea what such a philosophy involves, it sounds like one I might manage to grasp, and...
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