n INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



But the best time to visit the pool is in the 

 spring-time when all the reeds and rushes are 

 fresh and green, and the banks are gay with 

 golden kingcups, and the water iris unfurls its 

 yellow flags ; or later, in early summer, when 

 blue forget-me-nots nod their starry faces over 

 the water and the water- crowfoot spangles 

 the pool with its snowy blossoms. 



For the wee insect folk love warmth and sun- 

 shine, and as soon as cold winter has passed 

 they are all astir. Every sunny day brings 

 out clouds of airy, gauzy- winged flies to dance 

 merrily round the pool far too many to 

 please us indeed, for they leave their dance to 

 settle on our hands and faces, and announce 

 their arrival by sharp little stabs. Great, 

 glittering dragon-flies hawk backwards and 

 forwards over the pool, pouncing every now 

 and then on one of the dancing flies and carry- 

 ing it off in triumph. And if we look down 

 into the water we shall see ever so many quaint 

 little creatures, crawling about the weeds and 

 stones, swimming through the water, or lightly 

 skimming over the surface of the pond. 



