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Show 283. felted together like a fleece of tame wool. But we are governed more than we know, and most when we are wildest. Plants, animals, and stars are all kept in place, bridled along appointed ways, with one another, and through the midst of one another - killing and being killed, eating and being eaten, in harmonious proportions and quantities. And it is right that we should thus reciprocally make use of one another, rob, cook, and consume, to the utmost of our healthy abilities and desires. Stars attract one another as they are able, and harmony results. Wild lambs eat as many wild flowers as they can find or desire, and men and wolves eat the lambs to just the same extent. This was the pattern of use created by Nature, and it was a better plan than the one Man substituted when he created plants as bland and stupid as an orchard apple and a domestic sheep. In his final draft, Muir suppressed the image of himself as wild man. He chose instead to be a Thoreauvian scientist, counting the hairs on a sheep, and demonstrating the seriousness of his research by its fineness. Consequently he finally Played a civilized role, not arguing against Man's uses of Nature, but only that Nature's plan contained a better pattern of use and a better pattern of value. As for human culture, "we should be careful not to ascribe to such culture any improving qualities upon those on whom it is brought to bear." !t would be better to reconsider the quality of wild life, |