146 DROPS OF WATER. 



attentively, and at last had the pleasure of seeing 

 the young one escape first into the case of the 

 parent, and from thence into the water, where, 

 though so small, it was conspicuous from the 

 bright red eyes ; but it swam so rapidly, that I 

 could with difficulty follow it ; and at last it was 

 lost among the surrounding weeds, which seemed 

 to form a wide world for the little creature. After 

 a short life of freedom it attaches itself like its 

 parent, and forms a case. In some waters these 

 interesting and beautiful creatures abound. 

 I have counted between thirty and forty speci- 

 mens on one stalk of duckweed, in all stages of 

 growth : those of middle age are bright and 

 clear, the case nearly invisible and containing 

 no eggs, the body slim, and very elegant in 



