148 LEAVES FROM MY NOTE-BOOK. 



heart. If the wings of an emerging larva are cut off and thrown 

 upon the water, they will still expand ; and the moult will be 

 completed if the creature is thrown into spirit of wine. 



It would be interesting to know the views of a May fly as to 

 the nature of things. The Ephemeron which had seen the last 

 departing rays of the sun, would be absolutely sceptical as to such 

 an unverifiable phenomenon as sunrise ; the Ephemeron emerging 

 after sunset would certainly not be so unscientific as to believe in 

 the existence of a sun at all. I imagine that our views as to the 

 Universe must, to higher intelligence, appear as absurdly limited 

 as would be the views as to earthly things of a philosophical May 

 fly. Those scientists who declare that there are no phenomena in 

 nature, and no natural laws but those which our very limited 

 senses can comprehend, are, it seems to me, biit as philosophical 

 EphemercB, 



Yet that brief life has in it something which, during its brief 

 span, pleases us to dwell on. The long dull stage has been passed, 

 and the insect emerges, with a swiftness that baffles the sight, into 

 aerial hfe ; then comes the giddy dance over the evening waters 

 in the most delicious hours of spring and summer ; then marriage 

 flight, and the quick death ere night has passed. It is the Hellenic 

 type of existence, all beauty, gaiety, and pleasure, with remorseless 

 destiny awaiting the happy dancers. Destiny in the shape of swift 

 skimming swallows and hungry fish. 



I have had space in this article for only a tithe of the interest- 

 ing life-histories to be found in Mr, Miall's fascinating book, and 

 I envy those who are young and active enough to follow his 

 example, and spend hours as he has done near some clear rushing 

 stream, where watercress and forget-me-nots are growing, or by 

 some quiet pool where little beings lie sucking the air-reservoirs of 

 water-lily roots. 



We are deeply grieved to receive, at the moment of going to 

 press with this sheet, news of the very sudden death of Mrs. 

 Alice Bodington, She died on February 15th at New West- 

 minster, B.C., Canada, of pneumonia, after an illness of scarcely 

 five days' duration. 



