CONTENTS. 
a volume in the natural-history library. To the left is a highly 
magnified figure of the foot, and in the centre are the larva and pupa of 
another species much resembling it, abundant in its imperfect stages 
between the membranes of dock leaves . 32 
Try Lightness, friend Poet, 
A leaf of the Poet’s epic failure, exposed to the critical scrutiny of a fly on its 
return to the author from a butter-shop . . . . .... . . 55 
4. THE GNAT.—A LIFE OF BUOYANCY. 
Transformation of the common Gnat, Culex pipiens, the eggs united in a 
boat-like form; the aquatic larva suspended, head downwards; the 
pupa with head upwards; and, last stage of all, the pupa with the 
winged gnat emerging from it poe ke oa ee OO 
Let us strive bo keep up our buoyancy. 
The buoyant Gnat Pupa, and the winged Gnat which half flies, half walks 
upon the water, figuring the light spirits which dance upon the stream 
of life, and are unsubmerged by the missiles of care . 73 
5. THE WOOD ANT AND THE APIHIDES. 
Aphides of the Oak. Two of the large brown Aphis guercus, with their 
curious suckers, and another species of the oak with the wood Ant, 
Formica rufa, in search of honey-dew,—magnified . . . 74 
No one took notice of our poor dripping traveller. ee 
The luxuriant and well-fed Aphis, in fashionable attire and sheltered from 
the storm by her acorn-cup parasol, passes disdainfully by the starving 
but industrious Ant, seated unsheltered, naked, and solitary, on a 
WOMDMOOE 6 5 se ee a ey oe ee 
February. 
. 
6. LIFE IN DEATH. 
The Tortoise-shell Butterfly, Vanessa Urtice. Suspended beneath the parapet 
of the wall is the chrysalis of the Cabbage Butterfly, Portia Brassica. 
Above is the hairy caterpillar of the Tiger Moth, Arctia caja. To the 
right are three caterpillars of the Magpie Moth, Aérazas grossulariata, 
lil 
