6 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



hurriedly creeping over his dress, would prompt some 

 marvellous tale of the scientific world — tales that have 

 all the charm of truth to recommend them. He always 

 affirmed that insects were among the most intelligent 

 creatures in the world. He delighted in the study of 

 them. He would lay a beetle, or caterpillar, or earwig 

 on his hand, and point out its beauties, until his girl 

 would as soon have thought of shrinking from a flower 

 as from a creeping thing. Spiders were great favourites ; 

 bees and ants a never-failing source of amusement 



During the summer months, his home in Ultima 

 Thule was frequently visited by wandering " scientists," 

 who were always heartily welcomed, and given every 

 assistance in his power. He was at home on almost 

 every branch of science, although he modestly prefaced 

 any information he had to give with a disclaimer. 

 Being an expert linguist, he could always converse 

 with foreigners in their own tongue. It was amusing 

 to observe the varied expression of different sorts of 

 travellers when they were first introduced to his parlour. 

 Tlie snob looked unutterable disgust ; the mere tourist 

 stared his wonder and took notes ; the man of science 

 was full of curiosity ; the lady rather frightened. It 

 was a curious place, certainly. Over the mantelpiece 

 hung useless flintlock fowling-pieces that had seen 

 service in their day ; also a variety of weapons in use 

 among savage tribes; though how boomerang, tomahawk, 

 lance, or arrow-tube got there, their owner only could 

 tell. Among these were bunches of quills ; clusters of 

 pony-hair, that were very suggestive in such company, 



