12 DROPS OF WATER. 



scope, and suppose that all water abounds in living 

 creatures, and that, consequently, we drink them 

 in myriads. This is an error : there are none, or 

 very few, in spring water, and, as no one would 

 think of drinking from a ditch, or stagnant 

 pool, where plants abound, there is little to fear. 

 If necessitated to partake of water abounding in 

 life, the person is either ignorant of its state, or 

 the want is so urgent that the thought does 

 not occur ; and even should it arise, these deli- 

 cate transparent little atoms would not be per- 

 ceived by the taste ; this fear or disgust may 

 therefore be dismissed. Many waters abound in 

 the larvae of gnats and other insects, and minute 

 creatures of the crustaceous order, but these can 

 generally be seen by the naked eye. 



