The Heart of Nature; or, The Quest for Natural Beauty

CONTENTSPreface Introduction PART I Chapter I. The Sikkim Himalaya. The sacred Ganges-A beneficent power-Beauty of the plains-First sight of the Himalaya Chapter II. The Teesta Valley. Mystery of the forest-The gorges-Sequestered glens Chapter III. The Forest. Butterflies-Ferns-Orchids-Flower friends-Rhododendrons-Temperate vegetation-Primulas-Artic vegetation-The range of vegetation Chapter IV. The Denizens of the Forest. Butterflies-Moths-Birds-Reptiles-Mammals-Animal beauty-Primitive man-Higher races Chapter V. The Sum Impression. Two views of Nature-Variety of life-Intensity of life-The battle of life-Adaptation and selection-Purposiveness-Purposeful structures-Interdependence-Organising Activity-Gradation-Care of offspring-the Activity not mechanical but Spiritual-Nature's end-a Common aspiration Chapter VI. Kinchinjunga. The foothills-Darjiling-A vision of the mountain-Full view-Mountain grandeur-Dawn on the mountain-Sunset on the mountain Chapter VII. High Solitudes. Kashmir-Barren mountains-Dazzling peaks-Purity of beauty Chapter VIII. The Heavens. Desert sunsets-Tibetan sunsets-The stars-The whole universe our home-A Heavenly Presence Chapter IX. Home Beauty. One's own country-Woman's beauty-Love and beauty-Their Divine Source-Wedding-Divine union-The Inmost Heart of Nature Chapter X. The Nature of Nature. A spiritual background-Purpose in Nature-Higher beings-No confining plan-Immanent Spirit-Collective personality-England a Person-Nature a Person-Moved by an ideal-The ideal in plants-The ideal in animals-The ideal in the world Chapter XI. Nature's Ideal. Battling with physical Nature-Battling with man-In tune with Nature-At the heart of the Universe is Love-Divine fellowship is Nature's Ideal Chapter XII. The Heart of Nature. Picturing the Ideal-The Ideal Man-Man and woman-Perfecting the Ideal-Discipline necessary-Leadership-Nature's method-Our own responsibility-The lovability of nature-God at the Heart of Nature PART II Natural Beauty and Geography Presidential Address to the Royal Geographical Society An Address to the Union Society of University College, London