The Caddis-Worm 



the latter instance, the scabbard is made, above 

 all, of Planorbes, selected among the smaller 

 of these Pond-snails and laid flat. Without be- 

 ing scrupulously regular, the work, at its best, 

 does not lack merit. The pretty, close- 

 whorled spirals, placed one against the other 

 on the same level, have a very pleasing gen- 

 eral effect. No pilgrim returning from San- 

 tiago de Compostella ever slung handsomer 

 tippet from his shoulders. 



But only too often the Caddis-worm dashes 

 ahead, regardless of proportion. The big is 

 joined to the small, the exaggerated suddenly 

 stands out, to the great detriment of order. 

 Side by side with tiny Planorbes, each at most 

 the size of a lentil, others are fixed as large 

 as one's finger-nail; and these cannot possibly 

 be fitted in correctly. They overlap the regu- 

 lar parts and spoil their finish. 



To crown the disorder, the Caddis-worm 

 adds to the flat spirals any dead shell that 

 comes handy, without distinction of species, 

 provided it be not excessively large. I no- 

 tice, in its collection of bric-a-brac, the Physa, 

 the Paludina, the Limnasa, the Amber-snail 

 and even the Pisidium, 1 that little twin-valved 

 casket. 



'The above are all Pond-snails, except the Pisidium, 

 which is a Bivalve. — Translator's Note. 



187 



