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CHAPTER XV. 
Expedition to a Lake — Search for U'cw Specimens— Change of Scene — 
Manchurian Flowers— Crickets and Grasshoppers— Dragon-flies— 
Trapa natans — “Dash” discomfited — A Picnic Party — Capture 
of Crustaceans — Enthusiastic Beetle-hunters — Skeleton Trees — 
Crj’ptochiton Stelleri — An Impressive Scene. 
Whilst still at anclio^ in this pleasant Bay of 
Vladimir, \rc heard of a lake not very far distant, 
and determined to explore it. We were greatly 
tempted to this expedition by the beauty of the 
weather, which, indeed, was glorious. The boat 
was got ready — a light, four-oared gig — and a little 
dredge was soon placed in the stern-sheets. A 
modest bottle of beer, and a few other creature 
comforts, were pro\dded for us; and “away flew 
the light bark o'er the silvery bay." As we ap- 
proached the shore, the round head of a seal came 
up alongside the boat, and his wondering eyes gazed 
seriously at the “merry men" bending to their oars. 
