Il8 NATURE STUDY. 



tail like a sail, lets the wind drive her to the other side, and car- 

 ries meat in her mouth to prevent being famished by the length of 

 the voyage." 



Of the wild boar we have this : "And what place so ever he 

 bites, whether man or dog, the heat of his teeth causes an inflamma- 

 tion in the wound. If, therefore, he does but touch the hair of a 

 dog he burns it off, nay, huntsmen have tried the heat of his teeth 

 by laying hairs on them as soon as he was dead, and they have 

 shriveled up as if touched by a hot iron." — London Express. 



Nature Study Lessons. XVIII. 



BY EDWARD J. BURNHAM. 



If, in our rambles last summer, we failed to secure in- 

 sects from the brooks and ponds for our collection, it is not 

 a serious matter. The brooks and ponds remain, and 

 many beetles and bugs are living in them through the 

 winter time. Besides, it is easy to get just where one 

 wishes, when there is firm ice to walk upon. No boat is 

 needed, no part is now inaccessible, and there is less dan- 

 ger of wetting the feet, which is disagreeable, whether it 

 is really a grave matter or not. 



Then again, the desire to add a few water beetles to the 

 collection affords an incentive for a brief outing on a win- 

 ter's day, which is invigorating and detightful for people, 

 young or old, who are well and strong. Few pleasures 

 equal that of a tramp over a creaking country highway 

 with a troop of children on a clear winter's day, the crisp 

 air jocund with laughter and instinct with the high spirits 

 of childhood. 



Presentl}' comes a romp through the snow across a 

 meadow, and then follows the hearty work of cutting a 

 hole through the ice. This is the most exhilarating exer- 

 ercise of the day. Blow follows blow, the bits of ice flying 

 in all directions, pelting now a muffled miss and now a 

 graybeard, while the fun and frolic increase as the sturdy 



