LOCH C RE RAN. 



the bitterness and keenness of the struggle for food, and 

 the hereditary feelings thereby generated, and all animals 

 above the lowest display these touches of nature that 

 show their physical kinship and their mental inter- 

 sympathy. 



A little pond on -the slope of the hill suitable for a 

 small fish-pond. So it is cleaned out, frogs in multitudes 

 are removed, and the bottom thoroughly purified, and 

 all prepared for the reception of the lately hatched 

 youngsters. The umbilical sac is scarcely absorbed ere 

 the pond begins to fill with fresh water algae, notwith- 

 standing a constant run. The warders now have to 

 remove vigorous young eels with a " penchant " for still 

 younger trout ; water newts in numbers have to be 

 removed ; and the deadly water beetles are still upon the 

 ground. It is curious to note how rapidly these various 

 foes of the fishculturist make their appearance in a care- 

 fully constructed reservoir, and how much life a little 

 dribbling rill from the hillside can supply when a suitable 

 store of nourishment entices it. Indeed, the first 

 practical result of any effort to increase the supply of 

 man's food is to instil into a multitude of wild creatures 

 the belief in such supply being specially provided for 

 them. It is both cruel and troublesome to disillusionise 

 them ; have mankind not frequently entertained similar 

 peculiar fancies as to Providential provision? 



Life is now rampant this " merry month of June," and 

 as the weather is mild and the ground well moistened 

 with genial showers, everything animate is revelling in 

 the unaccustomed combination of plenteous warmth, 

 and yet sufficiency of moisture. We are strolling along 

 enjoying to the full the splendour of our woodland 

 vegetation, when our attention is called to an object 



