lt>2 HEMIPTERA. 
beak. It has even been observed to 
destroy small water insects, without at^ 
tempting to eat them. 
Lucy, These are as savage creatures 
as the dytiscus ; I should not like to take 
one up, or indeed to meet them flying, if 
they ever do fly. 
Mother, Yes, they frequently fly on 
fine evenings ; and sometimes rising in 
large companies, they quit their native 
pond, and remove to another. 
Lucy. As soon, I suppose, as they 
have devoured all the creatures that are 
not too strong for them to catch. 
Mother. That may very possibly be 
the reason ; or they may have increased 
to such a number as to make it advise- 
able for a colony of adventurers to emi- 
grate. Now, my love, you have heard 
all that is necessary of the history of the 
water scorpion ; to-morrow we shall make 
the bug our subject. 
Lucy, Bugs are odious creatures ; I 
am sure very little that is entertaining 
