CHAPTER L 



THE ANT-LION 



ON the margin of ponds and streams we may see, 

 flying from one bulrush to another, certain in- 

 sects with large transparent wings and abdomen 

 long and slender like a piece of string. Some are of 

 a bronze green color, others of a splendid indigo blue, 

 while still others, somewhat larger, are clothed in 



A Common Dragon-fly, Natural Size 



mingled black and yellow. They are called libellu- 

 lids or, more commonly, dragon-flies, and also devil 's 

 darning-needles. 



"Do you recognize the insect? Haven't you ever 

 run after it? Perched on a reed that trembles in 

 the current, it seems to be dozing and waiting for 



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