116 MARVELS OF POXD-LIFE. 



Walking one day down a lane leading towards 

 Reigate, where the trees arched overhead, ferns grew 

 plentifully in the sandy banks, and the snnlight 

 flitted through the l)ranches, and chequered the 

 path, we came to a slnillow^ pond,, or great puddle, 

 which crossed the way, and near tlie edge of the 

 water the eye was struck with patches of crimson 

 colour. On atteuipting to take up a portion of 

 one of these patclies the whole disappeared, although 

 when the disturbance ceased, the rich colour again 

 clothed the dingy mud. The appearance was caused 

 bv thousands '>f little worms, belonging, to the genus 

 Tnhifcx^ not uncommon in such situations, who 

 thrust themselves out to enjoy the light and air, 

 and retreat the nioment an alarm is given. Pro- 

 bably both actions bek)ng to the class described, in 

 the Inst chapter, as ''reflex;'' but it would be in- 

 teresting to know whether creatures so humble have 

 any sense of fear. Tliese worms will repay ol)ser- 

 vation, l:ut in these pages we eschew all their tribe, 

 — unless tlie rotifers be assigned to tliem — and 

 takr ours^'lves once more to our especial subjects. 



Knowing that farm-ponds are usually well stocked 

 with microscopic game, we made a dip into one 

 more especially assigned to ducks, and obtained 

 wondrous little for our pains. We were not, how-. \ 

 ever, discouraged, l)ut made an examination of the 

 cii-cumstances, Aviiich determined a particular couj'se 



