34 



A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SEAS 



The Copepods, though small, are of enormous impor- 

 tance in the balance of life, for they form the staple of the 

 plankton and not only do much useful work as scavengers, 

 but feed much larger creatures, some forming the bulk 



Larva of Crawfish 



of the " whale food " consumed by the cetaceans. A vast 

 number of these minute but restlessly swimming creatures 

 abound in the sea throughout the summer months, whilst 

 our inland ponds and ditches supply such a common form 

 as the Cyclops. 



