First published in 1863, "Excursions" is a collection of essays by American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. It contains nine essays in total, as well as a biographical sketch of Thoreau by fellow transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. The essays are: "Natural History of Massachusetts", "A Walk to Wachusett", "The Landlord", "A Winter Walk", "The Succession of Forest Trees", "Walking", "Autumnal Tints", "Wild Apples", and "Night and Moonlight". Constituting some of Thoreau's most engaging and influential works, the essays represent the notable stages of his writing career from 1842 to 1862. Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862) was an American poet, philosopher, essayist, abolitionist, naturalist, development critic, and historian. He was also a leading figure in Transcendentalism. Other notable works by this author include: "The Landlord"