XIV 



CONTENTS. 



Page 



40. INSECT DIRGE-PLAYERS . , . . v . . 322 



" Phantoms foot it to the Deathwatch drum." A dance of death 

 got up, at Superstition's bidding, to the beat of the dreaded Death- 

 watch . . ;, . . 329 



41. SHORT LIVES AND LONG . , ; . . . .330 



" The threads of insect life are variously apportioned." The Parcse 

 meting the lengths of insect existence, allowing them the shortest 

 measure in their perfect and brightest stages .... 337 



42. STARS OF THE EARTH . .... . . 338 



"Inquire we the uses of the Glowworm's lamp?" It here supplies 

 to a studious fairy the purpose of the midnight oil ... 345 



NOVEMBER. 



43. INSECT MOVEMENTS . 346 



" In the sioift Tiger and slow Oil-Beetles, see the fabled hare and 

 tortoise" The rapid Cicindela, diverted from its course by the sight 

 of insect prey, exemplifies anew the old adage, that " the race is not 

 always to the swift " 355 



44. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT OVER-NICE . . . .356 



" Steeds of mettle and muscle, for a steeple- chase in earnest." If 

 chases such as these were never calendered in graver fashion if, as 

 here, the vaulters were but Fleas the chase but "coming off" on 

 paper, the horse might leap for joy, the man rise higher, that is, to 

 his proper place, as an animal of reason and humanity . . . 365 



45. STORY OF AN OGRE . ... . . . .366 



" Together with the ball they lift her on their shoulders." The For- 

 mic heroine (a captive Ant) escapes from the clutches of the Ant- 

 lion Ogre, by concealment in the hollow ball (puparium) of the 

 monster's own weaving . . . . . . . .379 



46. PAINTING, CARVING, AND GILDING 380 



" You shame our trumpery drawing." Acheta throws down his 

 pencil in despair at the inimitable perfection of his living patterns . 385 



DECEMBER. 



47. SPIDERS IN THEIR ANALOGIES WITH OTHER ORDERS 



OF CREATION . . 386 



" Where are snare-setters existent but amongst human animals and 

 Spiders?" -The Man Bird-catcher emulated in his trade by the 

 Spider Fly-catcher . . 393 



