42 STUDIES IN ANIMAL LIFE. 



the subtle laws of association. Let us go toward it, 

 and stand once more under its shadow. See the in- 

 telligent and tailless sheep-dog which bounds out at 

 our approach, eager and minatory ; now his quick 

 eye at once recognizes that we are neither tramps 

 nor thieves, and he ceases barking to commence a 

 lively interchange of sniffs and amenities with our 

 Pug, who seems also glad of a passing interchange 

 of commonplace remarks. While these dogs travel 

 over each other's minds, let us sun ourselves upon 

 this bench, and look down on the embrowned val- 

 ley, with its gipsy encampment, or abroad on the 

 purple Surrey hills, or the varied-tinted trees of 

 Combe Wood and Richmond Park. There are not 

 many such prospects so near London. But, in 

 spite of the sun, we must not linger here : the wind 

 is much too analytical in its remarks ; and, more- 

 over, we came out to hunt. 



Here is a pond with a mantling surface of green 

 promise. Dip the jar into the water. Hold it now 

 up to the light, and you will see an immense varie- 

 ty of tiny animals swimming about. Some are 

 large enough to be recognized at once; others re- 

 quire a pocket lens, unless familiarity has already 

 enabled you to infer the forms you can not distinct- 

 ly see. Here (Fig. 7) are two larvae (or grubs) of 

 the common gnat. That large-headed fellow (A) 

 bobbing about with such grotesque movements is 

 very near the last stage of his metamorphosis, 

 and to-morrow, or the next day, you may see him 



