APRIL. 87 



about, on the surface of a sheltered pool; every school-boy 

 who has angled for minnows in the brook is well acquainted 

 with this merry swimmer in his shining black jacket ; one 

 pool commonly affords space for the amusement of several 

 parties, yet they do not unite, but perform their cheerful 

 circlings in separate family associations ; if we interfere with 

 their merriment, they seem greatly alarmed, disperse, and 

 dive to the bottom, where their fears soon subside, and we 

 see our little friends dancing as before/' 



Some of the beautiful Tiger Beetles may occasionally be 

 found, their brilliant green rivalling the hue of the emerald, 

 when seen in the sunshine; they fly swiftly, and the rapidity 

 of their motions renders escape impossible to any insect 

 they may attack ; they emit a fine rose-like scent. The 

 larvae reside in burrows of great depth, which they excavate 

 in sand ; at the mouth of these holes they station them- 

 selves to entrap their prey, and are, like the perfect insect, 

 furnished with hooked jaws, and six strong legs. Dr. 

 Kidd thus amusingly describes one of the larvae: "Such 

 a beauty ! the Para*?, sweet creatures, the Eumenidce, gentle 

 turtle-doves, were lovely in comparison ; aspect vicious, 

 temper ferocious, jaws diabolical, stuck on the wrong way, 

 head big, back humped, the hump adorned with two hooks/' 



