"So far as can be observed, it makes [no attempt at retaliation. its only object being to yet away; though oceasionally—whether by design or accident—it succeeds in inflicting injury upon one or other of its executioners, or more often upon one of the spectators. striking him either on the head, or about the region of the waist, which, judging by results, would appear, from the Ball's point of view, to be the better selection. 'These small reddish balls are quickened into life evidently by the heat of the sun; in the cold season they disappear; and their place is taken by much lurier ball, This Ball the champions kill' by striking it with their feet Jand with their heads. But sometimes they will attempt to suffocate it by falling ow it some dozen of them at a time.
nother of these seemingly harm!
of the human race is a small white Ball of great canning and resource. It frequents sandy districts by the soa and open spaces near the large towns. [t is pursued with extraordinary animosity by & florid-faced man of fierce aspect and rotundity of figure, The weapon he employs is " long stick loaded with metal. With one blow he will send the creature through the air, sometimes to a distance of nearly a quarter mile; yet so vigorous is the constitution of there Halle that it will fall to earth apparent ly but little damaged. It is followed by the rotund man, followed by a small insect carrying spare clubs Though hampered by che prominent whiteness of its skin, the extreme smallness of this Ball' often enables it to defy rediscovery, and at such, times the fury of the little round mai is terrible to contemplate. He dances round the spot where the ball hus disappeared, making fronted passes at the surrounding vegetation with his club, uttering the while the most savage and blood-curdling growls. Occasionally striking ut the small creature in fury, he will miss it altogether, and, having struck merely the air, will vit down heavily upon the ground, or, striking the solid will shatter his wu clab. Then a curious thing takes place; all the other insects standing round place their right hand before their mouth, and, turning away their faces, shake their bodies to and fro, emitting @ strange crackling sound. Whether this is to be regarded as a mero expression of their grief that the blow of their comrade should have miscarried, or whether one may assume it to be a ceremonions appeal to their gods for better luck next time, I not as yet made up my mind. "The striker, meanwhile, raises both arms, the hands tightly clench: ed, towards the heavens, and utters what is probably a prayer, prepared expressly for the occasion."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.