42 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



SO rare in a technical book of science that it has a surprisingh- re- 

 freshing, even exhilarating effect, like the sarcastic definitions Dr. 

 Johnson inserted in the original edition of his great dictionary. 



On the 17th, I took two more L. variegatiis; one Pogonochccrus 

 mixtiis; a beautifully coloured Chariessa pilosa; a little clerid of 

 peculiar form, the elytra being narrower at ihe base and slightly 

 dilated towards the tip; and three specimens of the pretty little 

 Endomychiis higuttatus; besides several species of Curculio and 

 Staphylinid. I- was under stern surveillance to pack for our annual 

 trip to the Algonquin Park next day, but by secret calculations 

 of a most intricate sort I proved to my own satisfaction that there 

 was plenty of time to visit the wood-pile as well as to pack; be- 

 sides, as I philosophised, the weather was far too hot for pack- 

 ing, and simply ideal for handling a cord or two of wood. Ac- 

 cordingly about 4 a.m., all unknown to Xanthippe, Socrates and 

 the sun rose in concert over the brow of the hill and were soon 

 absorbed in contemplation of the wood-pile. 



I was somewhat embarrassed once or twice by the operations 

 of a farmer going round and round the adjoining clover field on 

 one of those primitive scythe-bearing machines called mowers- 

 that have presumably descended from the ancestral British war- 

 chariots. He did not say anything, but his manner was distinctly 

 unpleasant and spoke volumes of mingled suspicion, curiosity and 

 contempt. To my relief, however, he appeared to decide that I 

 was harmless and he need not interfere. This last day's experience 

 proved both rich and varied. I took 5 specimens of L. variegatus; 

 1 Parandra brunnea; 1 Saperda calcarata (dead) ; 1 Lepturges; 1 

 Leptostylus sex-guttatus ; and 1 Acanthoderes. In addition I saw 

 many Hyperplatys, and received striking proof of "Nature red in 

 tooth and claw," even in this peaceful, sunlit dwelling in Arcady. 



My suspicions had often been roused by the number of large, 

 black assassin-bugs in the dark recesses of the wood-pile; but the 

 whole aspect of the place as one approached it— like Macbeth's 

 castle to the gentle fancy of King Duncan — was peaceful and 

 sunny; if there were no martlets flitting about it, there were but- 

 terflies galore that sailed and settled. And all the time it was the 

 abode of murder: on the daggers of those assassin-bugs were gouts 

 of blood. I captured one of these black marauders with a fair 



