xii CONTENTS. 



Page 



25. LE LUCCIOLE ... 192 



" Thou shalt not want for diamonds." The Lucciole, to the Italian 

 peasant objects of dread, have been by the Italian lady employed as 

 articles of decoration living gems imprisoned in gauze for adorn- 

 ment of her hair 203 



JULY. 



26. LEASES OF LIFE ... 204 



" They set me at defiance ! " The power of death defied miraculously 

 by a swarm of Bees, which, according to an accredited relation, be- 

 came revivified under process of boiling with their combs . .211 



27. A SYLVAN MORALITY, OR A WORD TO WIVES . .212 



" Arrayed in likeness of the Faery Queen." Acheta domestica in 

 his study surprised by the appearance of the young wife, attired for 

 a fancy ball, in character of Queen Mab 221 



28. BUSINESS AND PLEASURE 222 



"Heedless of Business and of Pleasure." Pleasure with her gar- 

 land, Business with her cart-rope, try, equally in vain, to raise the 

 drowsy drone from his luxurious rose-leaf pillow .... 229 



29. INSECT MINSTRELSY 230 



" The classic Cicada, the grassy Gryllus, and the deep-toned Dor.'' 

 A musical trio composed of the above . . . . .237 



30. MOTHS AS OPERATIVES 238 



" Head amongst caterpillars of his craft." Cossus, the Master- 

 Carpenter of Moth operatives, on the look-out for business in heart 

 of oak and willow 247 



AUGUST. 



31. A SUMMER DAY'S DREAM 248 



" That victim no idle fly." A giant in augmented bulk takes ven- 

 geance on his enemy of the broom 255 



32. FAIR AND FIERCE 256 



" Tremble on the approach of your arch-destroyer." A trembl ng 

 " White" of the garden about to fall into the embrace (to Butter- 

 flies always fatal) of a great Green Dragon- Fly .... 263 



