16 THE naturalists' CLUB. 



"Can you quote Horace now ?" asked Ornith. 



"Yes," was his reply, "and will translate it too. Gens /mmmia, 

 means, Mr. Urban : ruit j^cr^ jumps right into, veiifum ncfas, the waters 

 of the river." 



" Yes," said Ento., who deals in the healing art, "you may add a few 

 more lines from the same ode ; macies, fever, et nova coliors febrhim,, 

 and ague, incubuit, will stick in, terris, your bones." 



" Herculms labor.,'''' groaned Urban, as he tried in vain to push off 

 the boat." 



In a few moments they were all in the water except Ento., and with 

 a yo, heave oh ! she was got off. 



" Now," said Urban — 



" impiae 



Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada." 



that is, at these rates we need no longer loacleP 



The party now landed on the York county shore, and had not pro- 

 ceeded far in their stroll, before a snake's nest full of eggs was discov- 

 ered, and then was discussed the whole subject of serpentine ovation. 



Several of the party stripped off their wet clothes and bathed in the 

 placid stream ; it was refreshing, though the others did pelt them with 

 the half hatched snake's eggs al'oresaid. 



On the homeward voyage, Encyc. took the oars and Urban intended 

 to entertain the company with the beautiful Canadian boat song : 



" Row, brother, row, the clock runs fast, 

 The supper is near, and the day -light's past." 



He was interrupted in the midst of a magnificent trill by Ornith. who re- 

 marked, " Yes, I'm very hungry." This broke the charm of the senti- 

 mental piece, and he ceased. 



The supper table was finally reached, and fearful was the devastation 

 of the good things provided. The conversaliou was continued until it 

 was late enough to be called early, when Ento. said, "Blessed is the 

 man who first invented sleep, for it covers one all over like a cloak, as 

 Sancho Panza saith." 



Urban yawned — 



" Oh for a lodge in some vast bed, 



Some boundless continuity of sheet and blanket." 



When each man si inked off to rest to dream of the aquatic excursion of 

 the Naturalists' Club. 



