266 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



shelter during the period of summer. The grass and 

 moss were now regaining the ground from which 

 they had been banished for awhile, and were reappear- 

 ing on the trodden soil that had formed the floor of 

 the habitation. Outside the ruined hut were some 

 disconnected boards, covered with moss ; formerly 

 they had probably formed part of the door of the 

 cabin but were now overthrown and scattered hither 

 and thither. 



" This is my park," said the keeper ; " and it is here 

 that I have placed my baits : some earthworms, some 

 portions of snails, and a spoonful or two of molasses 

 spread on the boards. We shall see if my devices 

 have proved successful." 



The planks were turned over, and a crowd of insects 

 of several kinds were immediately discovered ants, 

 Carabidse with brilliant armour, and sunshine beetles, 

 or Amaraee. It was a sort of miniature Noah's ark ; 

 each kind had attracted others. In the same way as, 

 on the foliage they consume, caterpillars are pursued 

 by their ferocious enemies, the Calosomata, the Feroniee, 

 the tiger- beetles, so the woodlice and little snails 

 that had come there in the hope of quietly awaiting 

 the arrival of the freshness of evening, had not failed 

 to attract the unwelcome visits of Procrustes, SilphaB, 

 and Staphylinidse. The arrival of our friends produced 

 a general stampede among both the slaughterers and 

 their victims. 



