CONTENTS. ix 



VIII. 



PAOB 



An uninviting form of cookery Light talking and good working A 

 constant sign Curious anatomical point An eye consisting of 

 many thousand eyes A magnificent preparation Three stomachs 

 to a single individual The classification of insects Queer names 

 again Aptera A flea's jump Unexpected maternal instinct The 

 reputation of the flea restored Diptera Number of strokes of a 

 gnat's wing in a second The bot-flies and Helophili Trans- 

 formations of a gnat Hemiptera Lepidoptera Butterflies have 

 feathers Depredators Neuroptera Devastating hosts White 

 ants Coleoptera Our friends and enemies 110 



IX. 



Congratulations are the order of the day Ineffectual strategy 

 Some respectable insects Ants and their flocks Dairy-farms of 

 blight Men, women, and workers To be an ant is no sinecure 

 Destruction of a home An eastern legend Tamerlane In 

 what way a mere ant may sometimes decide the fate of an 

 empire Hew Mr. Leon increased his collection on this occasion . 127 



X. 



More Hymenoptera Republic and monarchy Bees Expulsion of 

 the swarm A swarm in a letter-box Preparatory measures 

 House-cleaning and repairs Propolis Wax, honey Saint Bartho- 

 lomew's day in a hive Egg-laying, larvae Regal food A mortal 

 duel Orthoptera Cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, &c. Ear- 

 wigs Undeserved censure Extraordinary increase of locusts and 

 Blattse A supposed omission Out of the ranks of insects The 

 Epeira diadema How the spider spins his web The trap-door 

 spider, navvy, mason, and upholsterer Argyroneta A tent under 

 water The struggle for existence 138 



XI. 



A sailor's marriage at Villers Titles of nobility A strange vessel 



Good folk An acceptable gift The Albatross . . . .157 



XII. 



A letter Logical inferences Pietro Franceschini The Odysseus of a 

 gendarme An account of the acquaintance of Franceschini and 

 Uncle Bob The two barometers A false prophet .... 163 



