4 UP AND DOWN THE BROOKS. 



hornet ; and sailed away above the apple-trees, 

 never to return. I have ever since retained a 

 respect for the flying powers of the Notonec- 

 tidce. 



Water-boatmen. Notonectidce. 



But my dredging is disturbed. 



" What you catching ? Fish ? " demands a voice, 

 and I look up to see the yellow head of an in- 

 quisitive fourteen-year-old youth peering over the 

 bank. 



Evidently he may have been watching my per- 

 formances for some time, unperceived. 



"Water-beetles," and I hold up my pail to 

 show the contents. 



" What are they good for ? " proceeds the utili- 

 tarian. 



I hesitate a moment. Shall I tell him of the 

 decaying leaves that these numerous Hydroplii- 

 lidce devour, assisted by these pond-snails ; of the 

 yearly plague of frogs from which we are de- 



