142 NATURE’S CRAFTSMEN 
coat liberally with fuzz and lint. It is not so 
easily noticed that way and thus escapes being 
used for food by the hungry creatures which may 
pass by. When it gains strength enough to defy 
its enemies, it boldly casts off its dusty armor and 
goes out for blood.” 
“ If you will remind me in the morning,” said 
Uncle John, after listening to the tale of the tiger 
at the supper table, 44 1 will show you a cluster of 
assassin babies. I saw a whole family of them 
yesterday, grouped at the base of a red maple 
twig. They are about as big as a pin-head, and 
so nearly the color of the young leaves that I all 
but passed them by. I suspect they are getting 
their living from the aphids which are usually 
pretty plenty about the young leaves. As they 
grow older, the young assassins will lose a large 
portion of their red color. It is just a kindly 
provision of Mother Nature for protection in 
their helpless stage. 
“Assassin bugs are powerful in flight, and 
travel about as suits their pleasure. Their lairs 
are everywhere in the trees and in the grass, and 
their methods are so stealthy that though their 
prey is often much larger than themselves there 
is little chance of escape. Their weapon is their 
terrible beak which pierces through and through. 
Useful as are the little assassins to man, it be¬ 
hooves us to give them a wide berth. Nearly all 
