Episodes of insect life

Preface

HE Editor hopes that this abridged form of Episodes of Insect Life ” retains all the beauties of the original edition, while it is freed from the repetitions, and other defects, which resulted from the manner in which the original volumes were successively produced.

The reader’s attention is specially directed to the illustrations, which represent Insects and scenes in their life. The minuteness with which the artist has reproduced every characteristic detail is truly admirable ; and even in small insects, which are drawn of their natural size, the artist has been equally conscientious, not neglecting a single joint of the antenna), nor each claw of the tiny foot. Most of the drawings must be examined, as the insect itself must be viewed, with the aid of a magnifying

VI

PREFACE.

glass ; and not until this is done, will the singular truthfulness of their execution be seen.

The letterpress is a mixture of scientific facts with fanciful invention, sometimes investing insects with human attributes, and sometimes placing mankind on a level with the insect. In all cases the object of the writer has been twofold: firstly, to display graphically the salient points in insect life, and secondly, to promote a kindly feeling towards insects.

J. G. W.

CONTENTS AND DESCRIPTION OF

VIGNETTES.

CONTENTS AND DESCRIPTION OF

VIGNETTES.

JANUARY.

1. THE CRICKET. INTRODUCTORY ]

“ Episodes, then, they shall be called’’ — Symbolic portrait of the author in his character of the Cricket, Acheta domestica, selecting a title for his lucubrations ........ 7

2. THE POINTS OF OUR HOBBY 8

“ To the end of time this will carry ns.” — Emblems of riches, rank, and the pomps and vanities of life outweighed in the balance by the author’s hobby of Entomology under the figure of a May-

3. FLIES IN WINTER, AND A FLY LEAF . . . .16

“ Try Lightness, fr mid Poet.” — A leaf of the Poet’s epic failure, exposed to the critical scrutiny of a fly on its return to the author from a butter-shop ......... 23

4. THE GNAT.— A LIFE-OF BUOYANCY .... 24

“ Let us strive to keep up our buoyancy?’ — The buoyant Gnat Pupa, and the winged Gnat, which half flies, half walks upon the water, figuring the light spirits which dance upon the stream of life, and are unsubmerged by the missiles of care ... 29

5. THE WOOD-ANT AND THE APHIDES .... 30

“ No one took notice of our poor dripping traveller.” — The luxuriant and well-fed Aphis, in fashionable attire and sheltered from the storm by her acorn-cup parasol, passes disdainfully by the starving but industrious Ant, seated unsheltered, naked, and solitary, on a toad-stool

Contents

IX

FEBRUARY.

Page

Part the First. Y air-built bower come and see

Stranger, come and dwell with me.”

An armour-clad Rover is sauntering near ;

At the Siren's sweet accents he pricks up his ear :

Gramercy !” quoth he. “ She bespeaketh me kind,

And to pay her my devoirs I’ve almost a mind.

Then he looked at the water, exploring it through.

And there, if his sight brought him evidence true,

THE FREE E-WATER SIREN.

He beheld ^neath its surface, in silver bedigbt,

A most lovely Ladye. No gallant young Knight Could wish for a fairer in air and in mien,

Tho’ as to her face, not a feature was seen,

’Twas so veiled in the blaze of her mantle’s bright sheen.

But the Knight he stood dubious, the streamlet was deep. He prudently looked, ere he ventured to leap ;

But the Ladye, impatient, upraised neck and hand.

To grasj) hold of his, as he stood on the land.

Then, ye powers of darkness ! the sight that he sees.

Any mortal’s warm blood was sufficient to freeze.

The most blear-eyed of witches, the nightmare most foul. The most grim of hobgoblins, the loathsomest ghoule, Would have seemed as the fairest of Eve’s lovely daughters. To the horrible thing half raised out of the waters.

Its long hairy arms, so gaunt, rigid, and thin.

Were as dark and as dry as an old mummy’s skin :

Its eyes, glassy and fixed as a fish’s when dead.

Glared fiercely like fiery coals in its head.

And like lamps were hung over its horrible jaw, —

The portcullis that led to its cavernous maw.

The grim-looking spectre but rose as a flash That blasted the vision, then sank with a splash ;

And, enwrapped in her mantle of magical light,

Once more seemed a fairy all beauteous and bright.

Save only the hand raised the water above.

Which still circled the wrist of the warrior’s glove.

This wight (and a fortunate hap ’twas for him)

Was not framed like us mortals in body or limb;

’Neath the back of his glittering corselet lay hid (Like Jack-in-the-box crumpled under his lid,)

A pair of transparent and powerful wings,

Could be folded and opened by wonderful springs.

THE FRESH-WATEE SIREN.

From all that he’d seen, he’d a pretty good notion, That now w^as the time to set them in motion ;

So, his hand snatched away without further ado. Wide open the plates of his corselet he threw.

And a moment beheld him high poised in the air. Looking down with a smile on the Siren’s despair. While uprose from the water her soft witching strain, Sung sweetly as erst, though, I wist, now' in vain.