90 VIGNETTES FROM INVISIBLE LIFE. 



will sustain a very high temperature without losing 

 its soluble characteristic, and is thus admirably 

 adapted as a vehicle for preserving the dormant life 

 within its folds. 



The Water-bears are hermaphrodite. They lay 

 but few eggs, and these are hatched and the young 

 nourished and protected after a very curious 

 fashion. The eggs being deposited in the some- 

 what loose outer skin, and remaining there, the 

 young, if brought into life in this position, would 

 have no chance of escape but for the capacity 

 which its parent possesses of throwing off this 

 outer coil, which when the embryo is nearing 

 maturity it does. The eggs are now thrown off 

 with it ; the young are herein hatched, and thus 

 find a temporary refuge and sufficient nourishment 

 until able to provide for themselves. These little 

 Water-bears have obtained the scientific name of 

 Tardigrada because of their slow movements. 

 They are never in a hurry, and though subject to 

 such terrible vicissitudes as we have here indicated, 

 are always in good condition, fat and plump, and 

 continually grubbing among whatever rubbish 

 comes in their way. The mouth is a suctorial 



