MY WATER-LOVERS. 41 



fill the place of the Fittest. This the larva could 

 more than do, as far as size was concerned, being 

 at least four times as large as his predecessor. 

 The surroundings of this larva were more favor- 

 able than those of the Fittest had been, inasmuch 

 as on some water-weeds in the jar of the new 

 larva were a number of the small crustaceans 

 allied to beach-fleas and known as " fresh-water- 

 shrimps," which were to serve as the larva's des- 

 tined prey. Their often slow movements were 

 just suited to the larva's mind. There was no 

 such levity about them as about a black- headed 

 worm. The larva could walk carefully along 

 the weed, and, coming upon a water-shrimp un- 

 awares, grasp it with those pincers of his and 

 devour his prey. He would elevate the shrimp, 

 above his head out of the water, and in some mys T 

 terious manner manage to keep his tail out of 

 water too, in order to breathe, while the main 

 part of his body was under water ; and, in this 

 position, he devoured his meal, moulding the 

 water-shrimp between his pincers as one might a 

 bit of gum. One water-shrimp that I timed him 

 on was eaten in seventeen minutes. His appetite 

 for these creatures was good. In a little time, 

 after eating one, this Devourer wanted another. 

 Perhaps a taste of this congenial food might have 

 saved the life of the Fittest. Howbeit, water- 

 shrimps are not all of life, and the Devourer 

 must have longed for something' more., for " QIJQ 



