The Caddis-Worm 



citement of the crowding in the boxes, has up- 

 set my captives greatly; and, scenting a grave 

 peril, they have made off hurriedly, doffing 

 the cumbersome jacket, which is difficult to 

 carry. They have stripped themselves so as to 

 flee with greater ease. The alarm cannot have 

 been due to me: there are not many simple- 

 tons like myself who are interested in the af- 

 fairs of the pond ; and the Caddis-worm has 

 not been cautioned against their tricks. The 

 sudden desertion of the crib has certainly some 

 other reason than man's molestations. 



I catch a glimpse of this reason, the real 

 one. The glass pond was originally occu- 

 pied by a dozen Dytisci, or Water-beetles, 

 whose diving-performances are so curious to 

 watch. One day, meaning no harm and for 

 want of a better receptacle, I fling among 

 them a couple of handfuls of Caddis-worms. 

 Blunderer that I am, what have I done ! The 

 corsairs, hiding in the rugged corners of the 

 rock-work, at once perceive the windfall. 

 They rise to the surface with great strokes 

 of their oars; they hasten and fling themselves 

 upon the crowd of carpenters. Each pirate 

 grabs a sheath by the middle and strives to 

 rip it open by tearing off shells and sticks. 

 While this ferocious enucleation continues 



20 1 



