Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 4

There is little doubt that the largest amount of protoplasm—Huxley’s “physical basis of life”—is wrapped up in the bodies of insects. Not only do insects exist in enormous numbers as individuals, but the number of their species which are known and described is far more than double that of the whole of the rest of the animal kingdom. In 1881 Dr. Gunther estimated that there were over 220,000 named and described species of insects. Since that date the number has been increasing at the rate of almost 10,000. a year, so that at the present time the number of described insects must be approaching half a million. Mr Edward Martin, who has now spent some years in investigating the mysterious daw ponds of the English downs, made a progres report on this subject at a recent meeting of the British Association. He stated that he “sees in fogs and mists the factor which tends to keep alive the bestmade of the ponds. The precipitation of mist into the ponds, aided, perhaps, by silent discharges of .electricity, and the entanglement of mist-laden salt dust in the hollows in which the ponds lie, are believed to be the means by which some ponds maintain a supply of water all through the year, in spite of'the great draught made upon them by numerous cattle,” "Miss Bolds/’ said the shy studoat to the fair one on the other side of the sofa, ,“if I were to throw you a kiss, what would you say?" "I’d say you’re the .laziest man I ever met."