TREE-CLIMBING. 467 



lels of these artificial aids. The two upper figures represent 

 two forms of webbed feet, and the analogy between them 

 and the snow-shoe and mud-patten is too obvious to need 

 explanation. 



In the centre is the foot of the Jacana, an Asiatic bird. Its 

 foot may well be taken as the analogue of the skidor, length 

 taking the place of breadth, and enabling the weight to be 

 distributed oyer a large surface. 



This bird finds its food in rivers and lakes, and, by reason of 

 its enormously long toes, can walk with safety over slight 

 floating vegetation, which would give way at once under the 

 tread of any bird except a Jacana. Very good representations 

 of this bird are to be seen in Japanese works of art, especially 

 those which are mounted as screens. Even the peculiar gait of 

 the bird is given with marvellous truth. 



The last figure represents the common Water-gnat (Gerris), 

 which may be seen in almost any piece of fresh water, however 

 small. Ponds that are open to the south, and sheltered from 

 the north wind, are its favourite localities. 



It is a carnivorous being, feeding almost wholly on insects that 

 fall into the water. In order to capture them, it runs rapidly 

 over the surface of the water, thf long slender legs distributing 

 its weight over a large surface, and so keeping it from sinking. 

 Only the last two pairs of legs are employed for this purpose, 

 the first pair being held in front of the body, and used for the 

 purpose of capturing prey. 



Tree-climbing. 



Another curious aid to locomotion is shown in the accom- 

 panying illustration. 



In many parts of the world, where the cocoa-nut palm grows, 

 the natives have invented a simple, but ingenious, plan for 

 ascending the tall, curved stem. Such a thing as an upright 

 palm-tree is unknown, and consequently the ascent of the 

 branchless stem is not an easy task without artificial assistance. 



When I treated of Warfare and the different modes of scaling 

 walls, the climbing- spur was casually mentioned. The imple- 

 ment of the palm- climber, however, is simpler and more 

 effective, as it leaves both hands at liberty when desired. 



hh 2 



