MAY 125 



XXXI 



Some of the most repulsive forms of life, according to 

 human notions, may be found among the larvae Dragon- 

 of aquatic insects, or, to put it more correctly, &** 

 among the aquatic larvae of certain terrestrial insects. 

 Magnify one of these creatures and it assumes an aspect 

 more terrifying than the monsters of mythology or the 

 dragons of fairy-tales. Civilised man could with but scant 

 consistency condemn them because they are insatiably 

 carnivorous, gratifying their appetites by incessant violence 

 and slaughter. In the present year. 1904, a bag of 1360 

 brace of grouse was killed in a single day by nine guns on 

 Mr. Rimington Wilson's moor in Yorkshire. Think of it ! 

 Two thousand seven hundred and twenty birds, equal to 

 one bird in every ten seconds for eight hours. Allowing 

 for 25 per cent, of misses (the performers will pardon me 

 if this is putting it too high) it means an average of 377 

 rounds per gun. Warm work, my masters ! Such as 

 makes some of us old fogeys sigh for the days of yore, 

 when one might go out on any day, at any hour, with a 

 brace of steady pointers, content to keep one's legs and 

 lungs in trim, and the larder moderately stored. 



There is, therefore, not much to choose between us and 

 the larvae of dragon-flies in the matter of bloodshed, but 

 the stealth with which the gray insect approaches his 

 victim inspires nay, that brings deerstalking parlously 

 to mind. Let us have done with comparison ! 



There is no fairer sight on a summer day than the 

 flight of the great dragon-fly (JBscfiTia grandis). His 

 glittering, fearless wings bear him coming and returning 

 many times along the same line so swiftly that the eye 



