WATER-BABIES. 107 



them coming near, off they went with a 

 rush and a dart like a full-grown fish, using 

 their tails only as a mode of progression. 

 They have, moreover, a heavy weight to carry, 

 for attached to their belly is a large bag, 

 nearly the size of a lemon-pip, but more 

 oblong in shape, which contains the nourish- 

 ment which they must absorb into their 

 systems before they are able to shift for 

 themselves ; the moment the contents of 

 this forage bag are gone, they at once begin to 

 feed with the mouth, like adult fishes. I 

 removed the new-born fish immediately into 

 the lower trough, which contains gravel. In 

 an instant away they wriggled under a stone, 

 where they reposed in security, their bag 

 helping to keep them down. 



A gallant Colonel the other day asked me 



