WILD PASTURES 



aged to transform himself into something 

 different, perhaps into a spotted turtle 

 or a grouchy horn-pout. I have even 

 known him to turn into an ugly, many- 

 legged helgramite worm, not having time 

 to make the more reputable transforma- 

 tion. It is hard to catch a grumbling 

 goblin asleep, especially in a pool below 

 the witch-hazels, where the brook magic 

 is strong. 



It is easier to see the demoiselle 

 nymphs. They are not very beautiful 

 or seemingly very savory, and if the 

 water goblins do eat them it is no won- 

 der they grumble. You may have seen 

 a hawk-like dragon-fly skimming about 

 over an open pool dip in swallow fashion 

 to the surface. These sudden and re- 

 peated dips are not for a bath nor yet 

 for a drink. What you see is a female 

 dragon-fly laying eggs which shall later 



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