40 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



The most familiar objects one comes across have an 

 interest which science is every day intensifying, and 

 which is well worthy the attention of the most 

 cultivated minds. 



The other ohjects to he found in any pond or tarn 

 will occupy many " half-hours " on the part of the 

 young observer. Whilst noting the shells living 

 there, and dredging the weeds and mud to find them, 

 he cannot fail to notice many of the smaller species 

 cemented or matted together, so as to form a rough 

 tube. They are the cases of Caddis-worms 

 creatures to be met with in abundance in all such 

 spots as these. The objects themselves are the 

 larvae of a neuropterous fly, whose first start in life 

 is as aquatic animals. They are not alone in this 

 respect, many species of dragon-flies, &c., sharing 

 a watery life with them. How marvellously they 

 are adapted to such conditions may be seen by the 

 special bronchial filaments on each side the body. 

 There are many more species of caddis-flies than are 

 usually supposed, and as this old tarn is just the spot 

 to find them if they are to be found anywhere, we 

 will draw attention to some of the commonest forms. 



Fishes, the larvae of dragon-flies, and water-beetles 

 have a sharp recollection of the juicy sweetness of a 

 caddis-worm deprived of its shell ! You can hardly 

 get a more taking bait for fresh-water fish, than 

 such a denuded larva. Hence the absolute necessity 

 for such a protection as is obtained by forming a 

 case of dead shells, sand, leaves, twigs, &c., which 

 more than compensates for the natural softness of 



