56 THE BOY SCOUT 



them, and must say that, as a result, I obtain far 

 more real pleasure than I did before. 



I remember, too, as a boy- — ah, and a long time 

 after I was a boy! — thrusting my arm into the 

 water to secure the larva, or caterpillar, of the 

 Caddis Fly, wherewith to bait my hook and lure 

 the Roach, Dace, and Gudgeon. In those days I 

 am afraid I had not cut my wisdom teeth, and was 

 not nearly so interested in the life history of insects 

 and fishes and other creatures as I am to-day. I 

 certainly always loved the birds on the bank. I 

 liked to watch the Kingfisher darting by, and the 

 Swallows skimming over the water all day long; 

 but I must plead guilty to the fact that beyond 

 the Caddis Fly larva serving me for bait, I did not 

 stop to inquire any more about it. And yet, when 

 we do stay to notice it, what a wonderful little 

 story is revealed to us ! 



Just look at the homes of the larvae when you 

 next have an opportunity. Is it not remarkable 

 that a mere grub should, by its own industry and 

 perseverance, manage to build such a nice snug 

 little house in which it can shield its soft body 

 from enemies, and live until such time as it emerges 

 as the perfect Caddis Fly ? 



These houses of the Caddis Fly larvae are of 

 various kinds according to the species responsible 

 for their construction. One kind builds a home of 

 pieces of stick; another uses sand, small stones, 



