APRIL. 87 



about^ on the surface of a sheltered pool ; every school-boy 

 who has angled for minnows in the brook, is well acquainted 

 with this merry swimmer in his shining black jacket ; one 

 pool commonly affords space for the amusement of several 

 parties, yet they do not unite, but perform their cheerful 

 circlings in separate family associations ; if we interfere with 

 their merriment, they seem greatly alarmed, disperse, and 

 dive to the bottom, where their fears soon subside, and we 

 see our little friends dancing as before." 



Some of the beautiful Tiger Beetles may occasionally be 

 found, their brilliant green rivalling the hue of the emerald, 

 when seen in the sunshine ; they fly swiftly, and the rapidity 

 of their motions renders escape impossible to any insect 

 they may attack ; they emit a fine rose-like scent. The 

 larvae reside in burrows of great depth, which they excavate 

 in sand ; at the mouth of these holes they station them- 

 selves to entrap their prey, and are, like the perfect insect, 

 furnished with hooked jaws, and six strong legs. Dr. 

 Kidd thus amusingly describes one of the larvse : — " Such 

 a beauty ! the Parca, sweet creatures, the EimienidcB, gentle 

 turtle-doves, were lovely in comparison; aspect vicious, 

 temper ferocious, jaws diabolical, stuck on the wrong way, 

 head big, back humped, the hump adorned with two hooks." 



