106 THE WATER CABINET. 
much profit as we may the momentary creation by which 
the system of nature is maintained in its completeness. 
In fact, the bell glass is a reservoir into which we may dip 
for almost anything we want to fill up vacancies in the 
jars, and in the proper tanks, and to which we may consign 
the superfluities of a day’s collecting; having first assorted, 
and set apart such as are wanted for separate observation 
and study. 
CHAPTER II. 
COLLECTING AND ARRANGING SPECIMENS. 
Implements for Collecting.—Most of the ordinary pro- 
ductions of ponds and brooks may be purchased of the 
dealers, especially beetles, larger kinds of larvee, water 
spiders, and tadpoles; but very little progress can be 
made in the study of this branch of natural history, with- 
out personal visits to the fishing grounds. 
An hour spent in dragging a brook or pond, will do 
more towards stocking a cabinet with wonders than a 
hundred purchases. To the pleasure of an excursion is 
added the intellectual profit of learning the nature of the 
haunts, and many of the habits of the creatures obtained ; 
every haul of the net will bring forth from the oozy 
bottom, an immense variety of the most curious kinds of 
life. 
Nets, for the purpose, are easily obtainable. At least, 
two kinds will be necessary, namely, a small hand net 
attached to a short rod, or made to slip on a common 
walking stick, and a larger one for a long rod, or for 
