The out-door world, or, Young collector's handbook / by W. Furneaux.

  • William Samuel Furneaux
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The out-door world, or, Young collector's handbook / by W. Furneaux. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ANIMAL LIFE CHAPTER I PONDS AND STREAMS I WILL begin by giving niy readers a few hints on the collection of the various forms of animal life to be met with in ponds and streams. Young collectors often neglect the study of pond life. Perhaps this may be accounted for by the fact that most of the inhabitants of the water are not to be seen before they are caught. A butterfly on the wing will always arouse their interest; and, even if it appears to be ■ only a ‘ White,’ yet the probabilities that it may be a ‘ Hawthorn ’ or 1 a ‘ Bath ’ will often result in the insect being netted for a cursory i inspection. But when we stand on the edge of a pond, nothing in ] particular attracts our attention, unless it may be that the brilliant ’ wings of a dragon-fly fix our gaze. We look at a dense mass of ' duckweed—a screen so thick that we scarcely hope to find a livmg (creature in the water from which it shuts off the sun’s rays. A little (carefifl observation will, however, show us our mistake. A small : black and shining body suddenly appears on the surface, displacing r some of the little green fronds; and after a few seconds’ repose as suddenly disappears again. Soon other signs of life become i apparent, and then probably we wish some means were at hand by > which we could search the new hunting ground. I can strongly recommend pond hunting to a young naturalist. ’ There is an immense variety of living forms in fresh water. N early all these are easily obtained, and generally require but little attention in the aciuarium. One smgle horn' spent in pond hiuiting will 'Supply you with material for interesting occupation at home for many weeks. This form of recreation has the additional advantage
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