128 UP AND DOWN THE BROOKS. 



" The side that whips we 're going to give that 

 pond," said one, pointing to quite a pool. 



" And what becomes of the side that gets 

 whipped ? " I asked, 



" You can't do much with them, but throw 

 them away. They 're mostly dead, anyhow," was 

 the answer. 



And then they explained to me that different 

 kinds of " bugs " were on opposite sides and the 

 fight took place in a tub of clear water. 



And the boys solemnly assured me that "this 

 kind of bug " (pointing out a water-shrimp that 

 was walking on the black mud) attacked the pol- 

 liwogs. 



" Guess they suck their blood," said one boy. 



He stated for a fact what I have never noticed 

 a shrimp doing, but what I should not be at all 

 surprised to see such a crustacean do, that one of 

 them will catch hold of the polliwog by the throat 

 and kill it. 



"They don't do it in the pond, but when 

 they 're shut up together they do," said one boy. 



" It 's fun to see them fight," said another of the 

 youngsters. 



And having obtained as many creatures as 

 they wanted the boys ran off. 



But those creatures on the " side that whips " 

 must think they have won a glorious prize, the 

 pool that is theirs by good right anyway. 



Here may one find in March the larvad of May- 



