Marvels of Pond-Life. 129 



pond-water and plants, and even creatures of con- 

 siderable size are very likely to have escaped detection 

 in our first efforts at examination. 



When objects are not over abundant, as is apt to be 

 the case in the cold months, it is well to fill a large vial 

 with some water out of the aquarium or other large 

 vessel, and watch what living specks may be moving 

 about therein. These are readily examined with a 

 pocket-lens, and with a little dexterity any promising 

 creature can be fished out with the dipping-tube. It is 

 also advisable to shake a mass of vegetation in a white 

 basin, as the larger infusoria, &c, may be thrown 

 down; and indeed this method (as recommended by 

 Pritchard) is always convenient. Even so small a 

 quantity of water as is contained in a glass cell, ap- 

 propriated to the continual examination of polyps or 

 polyzoa, should be frequently hunted over with a low 

 power, as in the course of days and weeks one race of 

 small animals will disappear, and another take their 

 place. 



Following these various methods in December, we 

 obtained many specimens; but the most interesting was 

 found by taking up small branches of the Anacharis 

 with a pair of forceps, and putting them into a glass 

 trough to see what inhabitants they might possess. 

 One of these trials was rewarded by the appearance of 

 a little puppy-shaped animal very busy pawing about 

 with eight imperfect legs, but not making much pro- 

 gress with all his efforts. It was evident that we had 

 obtained one of the Tardigrada (slow-steppers), or 

 Water-Bears, and a very comical amusing little fellow 



9 



