41 
of its gills has to frequently rise to the surface with a rapid zig-zag 
motion, something like an unsteady kite in the air. The process of 
* change in these animals is very curious. The hind legs are the first to 
appear, and there is an interval, ranging from one to three weeks, before 
the fore legs push through the skin. Then the metamorphosis is rapid, 
the tail is absorbed and the final state of frog-hood is reached. 
Among the respective inmates of the Aquarium, which were brought 
to me, was a small Turtle, about the size of a silver dollar, for whose 
benefit a small fragment of rock, projecting a little above the surface of 
the water, was provided, on which this animal delighted to sun himself 
whenever there was a chance, but at the slamming of a door, or even 
at the vibration caused by walking scross the floor he would immediately 
slide off the rock, and swim violently about for a few minutes. He was 
not one of the "snapping" order, but black, with red marks on the 
under part of his shell. Turtles seem to be very susceptible to sound, 
and, apart from noticing ordinary noises as above mentioned, he had a 
habit of constantly turning his head from side to side as if listening. 
He was very ravenous, the food I gave him consisting of earth worms, 
and small pieces of raw meat. These he would hold with his fore paws 
while he palled at them and occasionally shook them, much in the same 
way as a terrier does a rat. His end was like that of all pets. He 
contrived one night to creep out of the aquarium, got on the floor and 
was crushed by the heavy tread of a human foot. 
Another inmate, whose movements I watched with great interest, 
was a leech ; not one of the kind used by doctors, but that known as a 
' horse leech." 1 he movements of this creature were very interesting. 
Fastening himself on the side of the glass, he would swing 
his body backwards and forwards, elongating and contracting it by 
turns, in every direction, as if looking out tor something, and when 
finally satisfied that there was nothing within reach, he would slide 
himself along the glass the length of his body when extended, and then 
again go through the same proceeding. I would not, however, recom- 
mend the introduction of leeches into ordinary aquaria, as the fish 
therein are sure to suffer from their attacks. These, however, seem to 
be made under cover of darkness, for I never saw my leech attack any 
