Tasmanian friends and foes : feathered, furred, and finned; a family chronicle of country life, nature history, and veritable adventure / [Mrs. Charles Meredith].

  • Louisa Anne Meredith
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tasmanian friends and foes : feathered, furred, and finned; a family chronicle of country life, nature history, and veritable adventure / [Mrs. Charles Meredith]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Each shell, each crawling insect holds a rank Important in the plan of Him who framed This scale of beings. Stillingfleet. “ ly/TAMMA! Mamma! I do think I have found a fairy. Please wait. I am lYl bringiog it for you to see.” The call came from Freda in the garden, as she advanced slowly, her eyes fixed on some flowers in her hand. “ Look, Mamma, do you see it ? ” “ I see some pretty red correa* and lilacf*. Ah 1 yes; there is a lovely Green Mantis;]; on them. Carry it carefully into the drawing-room, and we will get a large glass shade to put over it, so that we may keep it safely for a day or two, and watch its singular habits. We will then put it back again in the garden.” “ We must give it plenty of fresh flowers. Mamma. Of course it eats honey ? ” “ It is very natural for you to suppose so,” said Mrs. Merton. I had the same idea when I first found one; it seems such a delicate, ethereal creature, with those exquisite green gauze wings, and long slender legs on which it is poised so airily, and that wonderfully queer and intelligent head, that deliberately turns round to look at you, with a quaint, inquisitive expression that no other insect I ever saw is capable of. Now we will put our very curious friend on this white paper, and place the shade over it, leaving the glass a little raised at one side to admit air.” * Correa speciosa—native fuchsia of Colonies, t Tetratheca glandulosa—native lilac. So named fragrance. + Mantis religiosa. as resembling lilac both in colour and