/ 108 THE WATEE CABINET. 
prevent the escape of objects during transit; the jolting 
of a railway train or coach might otherwise waste the 
contents. The stone jars used for the purpose, should 
have a cord attached round the rim of each for convenient 
handling at the brook side. 
Pond fishing.—Every variety of stream or stagnant 
pond may be fished to advantage; but the specimens ob- 
tained from clear running brooks will, in general, differ 
greatly in character from those which the drag net brings 
from a dark still pool. Ponds which have formed in 
gravel pits, are generally well stocked with newts, mol- 
lusks, and tadpoles; but for the varieties of the beetle 
family, old ponds in meadows, and which are the resorts 
of cattle, are the best; ditches and rank brooks are the 
usual haunts of caddis worms, diving spiders, polypes, 
and the more beautiful varieties of water bugs; but every 
locality has its special attractions only to be learnt by 
experience. 
Supposing that you have made a halt beside a plea- 
santly shaded brook, with hedge sparrows, robins, and 
black-caps warbling about you. You prepare by selecting 
a suitable spot free from brushwood, and where the edge 
of the water may be reached without danger. The first 
thing to be done is, to fill a few jars with clear water, and 
to throw into each a few strips of any common water- 
weed, of which callitriche is always the best, and most 
generally attainable. If the water is very foul it will be 
better to travel a little distance for a supply, because the 
specimens are wanted as cleanly as possible, and if thrown 
into clean water when caught, their own motions will tend 
