190 OUT OF DOORS. 



or more ferocious in their battles. They are as fierce 

 and quarrelsome as game-cocks, and, like them, will 

 fight to the very death. But the game-cock when he 

 has vanquished his opponent merely proclaims his 

 victory aloud and leaves his antagonist, whether he be 

 dead or disabled. The soldier and sailor beetles, how- 

 ever, are not satisfied with the death of their adver- 

 saries, but must need consummate their victory by 

 eating their conquered foes. Vce victis is their motto, 

 and thoroughly is it carried out. If the doctrine of 

 development be true, the Fijians must have been 

 soldier beetles at some early stage of their progress 

 towards humanity, and retained their custom of devour- 

 ing their slain foes, though they have sadly deteriorated 

 in point of courage. 



TOWARDS THE END OF AUTUMN. The Blackberry 

 bush now assumes a new aspect. 



It is different in itself, its surroundings are different, 

 and its visitants are different. The clump of distant 

 trees on its western side gives many a sign that the 

 foliage has passed its prime and has taken the first step 

 towards decay. The leaves have darkened, and many 

 of them show the brown tint of fading life round their 

 edges, while the whole tree is studded with the green 

 balls of the prickly fruit, some of which have burst and 

 shed their richly coloured contents, while others hang 

 unbroken on the boughs. The birch trees show bright 



