THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 165 



michrast, according to circumstances, the calumet of re 

 pose, of council, or of digestion, Lucien returned to the 

 shrub on which he had previously found the insects. He 

 collected a great number of these, and also discovered a 

 third species, which was shaped like a triangle, with two 

 horns at its base. He ran to show us these miniature bulls. 

 Afterwards, armed with a long branch by way of a lever, 

 he tried to raise up a decayed root covered with moss. He 

 succeeded to do it, after some trouble, and saw, cowering 

 down among the roots, a beautiful lizard ; it had a green- 

 ish back, and its mouth and the sides of its body were 

 bright blue ; it was a variety which we had never before 

 observed. The little animal, doubtless dazzled by the light, 

 allowed itself to be caught, and then suddenly bending down 

 its head, bit the boy's finger, who at once dropped it. L'En- 

 cuerado soon caught the runaway. 



" Didn't you know that lizards were harmless ?" asked 

 Sumichrast of Lucien. 



" That is why they bite, I suppose," replied the boy, 

 shaking his head. 



" Yes," said the naturalist, " but you needn't b° afraid ; 

 its bite is not venomous. 



" 4 This brute is surely not disposed to strife, 

 But you attack it, it'll defend its life.' " 



Night came on. A multitude of insects whirled round 

 and round our fire, burning their wings as if they enjoyed 

 it. Lucien wanted to know what attracted so many of 

 these poor creatures to the flame. As he inquired, two 

 or three great beetles suddenly appeared with loud buzz- 

 ing, and at once precipitated themselves into the burning 

 coals. 



" See what comes of giddiness," said Sumichrast. " If 

 since we set out we had walked blindly on without looking 



