BROOK LIFE. 



145 



for many creatures that can not live in the warmer 

 and more quiet streams of the valley below. 



In the following- pages are mentioned some of 

 the insects that may be found in similar streams — 

 that is, in streams flowing rapidly over stones. Most 

 of these insects occur rarely or not at all in quiet, 

 sluggish streams, flowing over sandy bottoms, through 

 level stretches of country. In such streams are found 

 the insects described in the chapter on Pond Life. 



In our hill stream, too, there occur many of the 

 pond insects, for during its course there are quiet 

 bays and broad, still waters, which seem perfectly 

 suited to their needs. 



Little brook, sing to me : 



Sing about a bumblebee 

 That tumbled from a lily-bell, and grumbled mumblingly 



Because he wet the film 



Of his wings, and had to swim, 

 While the water-bugs raced round and laughed at him ! 



Little brook, sing a song 



Of a leaf that sailed along 

 Down the golden-braided center of your current swift and strong, 



And a dragon-fly that lit 



On the tilting rim of it, 

 And rode away and wasn't scared a bit. 



James Whitcomb Riley.^ 



INSECTS THAT LIVE BENEATH STONES IN RAPIDS. 



There is no collecting field that is more certain to 

 yield returns than the bed of a rapidly flowing 

 stream of pure water. Lift the stones from such a 



* From Old-fashioned Roses, by permission of the Bowen-Merrill Co. 



