166 A LOST OPPORTUNITY 



of the support, where the plant has broken out in a 

 cluster of flowers — the characteristic blue helmets of 

 the genus. 



It is to be noted that the perpetuation of the various 

 species of climbing plants depends absolutely on their 

 being able to secure support to carry them clear of 

 the ruck of vegetation into light and air. Thus the 

 common ivy, which closely carpets so many of our 

 west-country woods, may live as a carpet for an in- 

 definite time — centuries perhaps — but is utterly unable 

 to produce flowers or fruit until it has reared itself 

 up on a tree, a crag, or a wall. 



XXIX 



I doubt whether any animal, vertebrate or inverte- 

 A Lost Op- brate, aquatic or terrestrial, has been the 

 portnnity cause of such an aggregate of execration as 

 the common — too common — midge. I have heard the 

 discharge of language, with which I should be sorry to 

 soil these chaste pages, against rats, rabbits, the beaten 

 favourite in a handicap, caterwauling cats, and head- 

 strong retrievers; but these were transient aggrava- 

 tions ; a volley or two of swear- words served to relieve 

 the sufferer. But when midges are out for blood they 

 stir blasphemy at depths hitherto unplumbed ; and if 

 flight be impossible for their victim, they bring up 

 their reserves in inexhaustible numbers, and never 

 desist from the attack so long as he remains on the 

 field. The aggregate, therefore, of execration dis- 

 charged at these insatiate females (doubtless the male 



