TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 103 



" My collection of insects. I am preventing it from 

 spoiling. Perhaps you would like to help me." 



" With pleasure, if my wounded hand will allow 

 me. But, as fair exchange is no robbery, you must 

 tell me about your insects and give me some know- 

 ledge concerning them, and I shall assist you in your 

 efforts to prevent their becoming fat." 



So, after having breakfasted very heartily for a 

 sick man, he went to his cousin's workroom. 



"To begin with," said he, looking at the boxes 

 opened and displayed on the tables, " I see quite a 

 bewildering series of different forms, although the little 

 creatures have a certain air of family likeness that I 

 can perceive without being able to define. Tell me, if 

 you please, what are the characters that constitute an 

 insect?" 



"Insects are characterised by having the body 

 divided into three parts head, thorax, and abdomen, 

 the latter being formed by several rings or segments 

 placed one behind another. All, when they have 

 arrived at their perfect state, have three pairs of legs, 

 and undergo one or more, more or less abrupt, trans- 

 formations, passing the greater part of the period of 

 their existence in the condition of larvae, then becom- 

 ing nymphs or chrysalides, and then in the form of 

 perfect insects reproducing their kind. 



" There is nothing more wonderful than the anatomy 

 of these liliputian beings. Thus they breathe by 



