152 MY STUDIO NEIGHBORS 



thrifty insect tribe, whose claims to thoughtful con- 

 sideration were so long ago voiced by Solomon of 

 proverbial fame. Thevenot mentions "Solomon's 

 ant" as among the " beasts which shall enter para- 

 dise." Indeed, the human saint as well as slug- 

 gard may "go to the ant" for many suggestive 

 hints and commentaries. 



These are only a few of the more notable par- 

 allelisms which suggest themselves. But others 

 are not wanting if we care to follow the subject. 

 In addition to the many models of thrift and vir- 

 tuous industry, embodying types of many of the 

 trade employments known to humanity, have we 

 not also among these " meadow tribes " our luxu- 

 rious " idlers " and " exquisites," the butterflies 

 and flower- haunting flies and "dandy" beetles; 

 and, opposed to all these, the suggestive antithesis 

 of the promiscuous marauders, thieves, and brig- 

 ands everywhere interspersed? 



Thus we have our individual insect assassin 

 and assassination organized in war; so, on the 

 other hand, have we our insect merrymakers; 

 why not, then, our picnic or carnival ? 



Such I am moved to call the singular episode 

 which I observed last summer, and which I have 

 endeavored to picture as true to the life as possi- 

 ble in the accompanying presentment. The seep- 



