166 DROPS OF WATER. 



little paint be put into the water; but I can 

 imagine no sensation more wretched to those 

 unfortunate little creatures, that come within 

 the vortex caused by these powerful wheels, 

 if they are aware to what it leads : they are 

 often whirled round many times, before they 

 either enter the mouth, or are so happy as to be 

 refused by the monster. I have seen them re- 

 peatedly, when beyond the influence of the cur- 

 rent, fall down, as if spent with fatigue or fright. 

 The eggs of the Rotifer can be seen distinctly 

 in different stages of maturity within the body, 

 and even the wheels of the young ones have been 

 seen in motion by some observers. This species 

 increases most rapidly ; from one individual a 

 million may be produced in ten days. They are 



