THE BUTTERFLY'S ARCH ENEMY. 



so long and light contrasting with his muscular chest and 

 bulky shoulders, fit receptacles for the insertion of those 

 powerful pinions ; and the legs, six in number, strong and 

 rigid, and armed with claws. But notice, above all, the head- 

 the round enormous head nearly the whole of its upper half 

 occupied by large prominent eyes, which, in their crystalline 

 transparency, differ remarkably from the generality of visual 

 organs among insects, with their lifeless appearance of dull 

 opacity. In these there is no lack of vivid expression, as the 

 numerous hexagons of which they are composed seem to be 

 for ever in motion, now appearing visible, then seeming lost 

 beneath their translucent common covering or cornea. With 

 the threatening animation of these rapacious-looking eyes, the 

 mouth and powerful jaws are in formidable accordance; and 

 if, in the sight of its insect victims, tin's veritable dragon of 

 their tribes wears anytliiug like the aspect he bears in our's 

 (his terrors magnified by superior size, and perhaps, also, by 

 instinctive dread), with what trepidation must defenceless 

 case-flies tlee before him, and what a panic must be created by 

 his very shadow amongst a bevy of white- robed butterflies, 

 when assembled, according to their wont, in a water-drinking 

 party round a pond. Well may ye tremble, ye harmless 

 sippers, at the approach of this, your arch -destroyer, as ye 

 catch the sound of liis rapid flight audible, perhaps, to your 

 delicate antennae, though silent to our coarser ears. Well may 

 ye rise in terror and confusion, when ye behold his terrible 



