136 THE WATER CABINET. 
of one that was attacked and eaten by his pretty kindred, 
the wing-cases and head only remaining to testify of his 
former individuality. This is a delicate beetle, that 
requires very pure water and a neat arrangement of 
aquatic plants, to give full effect to its beauty as a cabinet 
specimen, and, when carefully preserved, a jar of them 
forms a conspicuous and attractive object. I have several 
specimens of a smaller species in a very fine jar of confer- 
voids; they are incessantly in motion, threading their 
way through the interstices of the delicate vegetation in 
a business-like way, that seems to say, “I’m on an 
important errand—have not a moment to lose, and, above 
all things, I must take care of the bubble of air that 
sticks to my tail.” 
Gyrinus Natator.—This is a member of an interest- 
ing and pretty family. Gyrinus takes its name from the 
tendency most of the beetles of the tribe have to move in 
circles, and this particular species exemplifies the habit of 
the tribe in a very striking manner. It is a very sociable 
beetle, always found in company with others of its kindred, 
forming little communities, which pass their time in 
whirling and spinning upon the surface of still pools, like 
congregations of dancing dervishes. They are as shy as 
they are nimble, and it requires some dexterity to net 
them, for they dive and scatter on the approach of a foot- 
step; but if the observer remains quiet a few minutes by 
the water’s edge, or on a plank or bridge above the pool, 
they soon resume their gambols under his eye, and in the 
sunshine appear like minute buttons of burnished metal 
rapidly revolving or darting to and fro upon the surface, 
