THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. II5 



for over the top of those hills I see a showery cloud rolling 

 up, and I don't think a bath in the boat would be much 

 pleasanter than one out of it." 



The boys now became very quiet. Kneeling on the 

 seats, with a skilful swing of their nets, they brought a 

 large number of beautiful lace-wings into the boat. Drag- 

 on-Flies have a strong hold on life, and sometimes it took 

 several doses of ether to quiet the fluttering of their wings. 

 Joe Dane had a little brush attached to his ether bottle, 

 and he was busily engaged in "feeding one," as he called 

 it. " Look how he eats ! " said he. The boys all looked 

 with wonder at the large savage jaws which the insect 

 was opening to suck the brush. Two or three mouthfuls 

 were enough to stiffen his wings forever. 



"Are there names for each kind of Dragon-Fly, as there 

 are for butterflies, Mr. Benedict } " asked Joe. 



"They have scientific names," replied the teacher, "but 

 no common names except what our friend Frank calls 

 them, Devil's Darning-needles. They belong to the di- 

 vision of Entomology called Neuroptera. When we reach 

 the shore where you can all hear me, I will tell you about 

 the way in which Dragon-Flies are classified. But, boys, 

 that shower-cloud is increasing very rapidly. We have a 

 good half hour's pull between us and the landing-place, 

 and as you have already captured a large number of speci- 

 mens I think we would better haul up our anchor and 

 turn towards home. Frank, you little rascal, sit still." 



