128 J. E. LIXTLEBOY — THE BULBOEXE AND GADE. 



to the consideration of kindred subjects, all intimately connected 

 with it ; and it seems to me that it is this most fascinating influence 

 which supplies to the study of Natural History its peculiar chaiTQ. 

 It is impossible to follow the windings of even a well-known 

 valley, or to explore the source of the little rivulet that so much 

 contributes to its beauty, without meeting at almost every step 

 new objects of interest as unlocked for as they are altogether 

 welcome. Again and again has the flora of the two streams 

 invited a more intimate acquaintance and tempted me to re-open 

 the pages of sundry botanical volumes, unfortunately neglected for 

 a quarter of a century. One treads on a piece of conglomerate that 

 juts a little into the current, in order, probably enough, the better 

 to observe the graceful movements of a bonny trout, and, before 

 one can retrace the step, aftVighted crayfish crawl out from beneath 

 its shelter, and a shoal of tiny minnows swim rapidly away. 

 There, too, attached with marvellous ingenuity to the sides of an 

 old oaken post which in days long gone by may have assisted in 

 supporting the bank, is the caddis-worm. Insects glide along over 

 the surface, water-beetles scud away right and left, and the little 

 river, which flows so silently before us, is found to be absolutely 

 replete with animal life. But beyond these, and more wonderful 

 than all, the sparkling waters of the Bulborne and the Gade, in 

 common with every stream that flows, are peopled by countless 

 myriads of living organisms, each supplying to the Entomologist an 

 object of unbounded interest. The very fish that I have attempted 

 to describe, subsist, for the most part, on animalculse so small that 

 one can distinguish them only by the aid of the microscope ; and 

 yet we may, I think, confidently believe that not one amongst 

 them all remains unheeded or uncared for by the Almighty Power 

 that fashioned it, or fails to perform its individual purpose in the 

 plan of Natiire. 



" My heart is awed within me when I think 

 Of the great miracle that still goes on 

 In silence round me ; — the perpetual 

 AVork of thy creation, finished, yet renewed 

 For ever." 



