CHAP. xi. EDWARD'S SCRAPS. 205 



case, Mr. Smith, I am afraid that I cannot become 

 a pupil. But, if I have any time left after I have 

 done with Nature, then perhaps I may begin to study 

 grammar ; but not till then." 



Mr. Smith's advice, however, was not without its 

 good results. Edward did begin to note down his 

 observations about natural objects, and he published 

 them from time to time in the local paper, the Banff- 

 shire Journal. When the present author asked for a 

 sight of the articles, Edward replied, " I think I could 

 supply you with scraps of a good number, although, on 

 looking over my stock, I find that a great many have 

 disappeared. My family and friends have dealt very 

 freely with them. In fact, they were found good for 

 ' kinlin'.* The most of what I wrote in the local 

 papers is lost, for ever lost." 



Among the articles which he was able to collect, 

 we find descriptions of rare moths, rare birds, and 

 rare fishes. Perhaps one of the first articles which he 

 published, was a description of a " Death's-head 

 Moth" found in the parish of Euthven one of the 

 most wonderful, as it is one of the most extraordi- 

 nary of insects. 



" In its caterpillar state," says Edward, " it has the 

 power of making a pretty loud snapping-like noise, 

 which has been compared by some to a series of 

 electric sparks. The chrysalis squeaks, but more 

 particularly when about to change. And, as to the 



* Kindling fires. 



