Every ramble through the forest enriched our knowledge of plants and animals, and I soon knew the different varieties of stones also; yet we did not suspect that this knowledge was imparted according to a certain system.

We were taught as it were by stealth, and how many pleasant, delicious things attracted us to the class-rooms on the wooded heights! Vegetation was very abundant in the richly watered mountain valley.

Our favourite spring was the Schaalbach at the foot of the Steiger,--[We pupils bought it of the peasant who owned it and gave it to Barop.]--because there was a fowling-floor connected with it, where I spent many a pleasant evening.

It could be used only after breeding-time, and consisted of a hut built of boughs where the birdcatcher lodged.

Flowing water rippled over the little wooden rods on which the feathered denizens of the woods alighted to quench their thirst before going to sleep.