Fri] ^.VD SYMBOLS. 129 



Even the Vile have Friends. 



When the crocodile of the Nile takes his food, his mouth 

 is constantly covered with myriads of insects called bdella, 

 which are no other than our European gnats. They fly 

 into the reptile's mouth in such numbers that they cover the 

 entire surface of the palate and form a brownish crust. They 

 pierce the reptile's tongue with their stings, and even excite it 

 to madness. The Charadrius ^Egyptius or Nile-bird comes to the 

 rescue. It flies to the mouth of the monster to catch them and 

 deliver him from such innumerable enemies, and is perpetually 

 seeking even in the mouth of the crocodile the insects which 

 form the principal part of its nourishment. The rapacious 

 crocodile, though it lives on flesh, and with one bite could 

 destroy, shows its recognition of the service, and never harms 

 the bird. It would seem that as it is amongst reptiles, so it is 

 among men ; there is none so vile as to be utterly deprived of 

 friends. Even some of our vilest burglars and murderers have 

 been blessed with wives and children who have tended to their 

 necessities and been faithful unto death. Mutual advantage is 

 the bond of union between the crocodile and the Nile-bird ; 

 and it is often (though of course not always) the explanation of 

 many queer human coalitions, from which monsters derive vast 

 advantage. RE. 



Emblems of True Friendship. 



You may learn a lesson from that prettily marked pilot-fish, 

 with its beautiful purplish-coloured back and head, although it 

 is only between four and eight inches long. It is Deputed to bo 

 a guide to the shark ; and whenever the shark is alone it is a 

 rare occurrence to find him without the attendance of one or two 

 pilot-fish. But when there are several sharks together, the 

 faithful attendant seems too retiring to intrude himself, for he 

 is then absent. If you are a humble friend to any one, learn 

 from this to come when you are wanted, and do not intrude 

 yourself when your company is not required. GA. 



