the Frogs grows for five or six weeks, then spins a cocoon around itself, and lies dormant during the winter, developing another big moth that will flit above the marshes, fields, and towns the coming June, and awake a joy song in the heart of every one who sees it. Typical marsh begins with cultivated land running down to a stretch of wild growth that shades off into masses of water grasses, cattails, and bulrushes. These in turn are edged by true water flowers, hyacinths, blue flags, arrowhead lilies, then the water; and that covered for acres with yellow lilies near the shore, farther out the spreading leaves and masses of white flowers blanketing as much more of the surface, and next clear, deep water in which you can row and fish. At first, in crossing the waters of a marsh, the eye is almost blinded and the senses stunned by the glory of the masses of colors, and as you become accustomed to fairyland a roll of swelling, throbbing sound fills the ears. Then, ho, for the music of the marsh! It begins with the frogs. When the first faint breath The of catkin pollen tinges the wind, morning and Chorus of evening vesper is caroled by a babel of voices and a pæan of praise greets every passing shower. The moment the sun shows his face, orange-bellied tree-toads with backs like an unusually brilliant lichen plaster themselves to limbs from which it is Her empty house beside her dangles, almost impossible to distinguish them, and in solo, duet, and full chorus set up a never-ending petition for more rain. Bullfrogs drum until one wonders what would be the size of their bodies. were they in proportion with their vocal powers, But it is only for a few days that the frogs are allowed to monopolize the music, for when the green hyla pipes and the bullfrog drums, the entire aquatic orchestra and the full chorus make haste to join them. Nowhere else in nature do scales, fur, feathers, and gauzy-winged things meet in such commonalty. Here black bass, muskrat, and blue heron seek their food in the same water. Marsh music is unceasing, and it is all so good. As you guide your boat between the rushes and glide softly over the lily pads, sweet as Eolian Marsh harps is the music of the wind sobbing among the Music branches, the rushes rustling with each passing breeze, the grasses whispering together, and the softly lapping water. You hear crickets singing as cheerily as beneath the hearthstone; grasshoppers voicing constant praise of the sweet marsh growth; honey-ladened wild bees droning over the pollen, and swaying snakefeeders singing on the rushes. O, how the snake feeders swing and sing, and. how beautiful they are! There are many members in the family, all of bright color; a trim head, flies Sing big eyes, a slender, long body, dainty legs, and four wings set in pairs on each side, with a strong When costa or rib along the front edge, the remainder Dragon- the transparent isinglass of the locust. They have a pair of sharp grinders in the mouth, and feed on small insects among the rushes. As every living creature has equal rights to life with all others, the tragedy is quite as great when a dragon fly pounces upon a water spider and tears off its legs and eats the body as when a hawk sweeps down upon a partridge and carries it away. Dragon flies are the typical insects of the marsh, and of beauty surpassing all others. Not only are their bodies brightly colored, but their wings glitter as diamonds in the light. They have curving, jointed antennæ, and grow to a wingspread of four inches in some larger species, so that they attack prey the size of cabbage butterflies. They deposit their eggs in water, and their young are aquatic until time to take wing; when they crawl on the rushes, burst their covering, and emerge damp and crumpled, like night moths. Soon, however, their wings expand and harden, and they begin to flash their glancing colors over the marshes and sing their song on the thwarts of your boat; yes, even on the brim of your hat. They stray far inland, and often when on the road to the marsh you can see them hunting through beds of rank bergamot and cone flower, ruthlessly de |