NATURAL HISTORY. 85 
CHAPTER XII. 
THE SMALL CYCLOPS, OR VAULTER. 
Cyclops minutus.—Miiller. 
The facility which these creatures display in 
transporting themselves through the watery 
element, combined with the elegant and grace- 
ful form they assume in effecting these motions, 
renders them highly amusing and interesting. 
The popular name of this little animal is derived 
from its motion, which is usually a succession ' 
of leaps. 
They seem to possess great discernment and 
cunning, for, if approached, they remain motion- 
less on the plant on which they reside, in the 
apparent hope that they may be overlooked ; 
but when a fit opportunity occurs they suddenly 
inflect themselves, and spring away with a kind 
of vaulting leap. 
