CHAPTER VI.. Insects in Britain--Meadow Ants--the Indoor View of Insect

Insects in Britain--Meadow ants--The indoor view of insect life--Insects in visible nature--The humming-bird hawk-moth and the parson lepidopterist--Rarity of death's-head moth--Hawk-moth and meadow-pipit--Silver-washed fritillaries on bracken--Flight of the white admiral butterfly--Dragon-flies--Want of English names--A water-keeper on dragon-flies--Moses Harris--Why moths have English names--Origin of the dragon-fly's bad reputation--Cordulegaster annulatus--Calopteryx virgo--Dragon-flies congregated--Glow-worm--Firefly and glow-worm compared--Variability in light--The insect's attitude when shining--Supposed use of the light--Hornets--A long-remembered sting--The hornet local in England--A splendid insect--Insects on ivy blossoms in autumn.