X. WATER-BEAKS AND EOTIFERS. 



" For nature also, cold and warm, 

 And moist and dry, devising long, 

 Through many agents making strong, 

 Matures the individual form." TENNYSON. 



" Loneliness takes life 

 As over its world 

 The invisible hovers." UHLAND. 



IT might be supposed that one of the most unlikely 

 of places in which to hunt for animal life would be 

 a gutter under the eaves of a house ; yet this is one 

 of the places where the " Water-bear " (figured on 

 the opposite page) was first and is often now found. 

 This can hardly be called its habitat or favourite 

 haunt, or it would not have been named Water-bear; 

 for although water is often found in roof-gutters, 

 yet it is also as often absent. The fact is that these 

 animals are here by accident, and not from choice. 

 They are here against their will, so to speak ; and 

 this circumstance leads at once to the most extra- 



