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vision of nature, by which this animal is fitted 

 for those situations in which it resides. When 

 the pools or ditches in which it lives dry up, 

 this animal buries itself in the mud, and lives 

 securely until the rain replenishes its pond. As 

 it is frequently dug up in this situation, it has 

 been supposed to search for its food in the 

 ground like an earth-worm. It will remain alive 

 under ice, provided there is a small portion of 

 unfrozen water around it. It appears to be ex- 

 tremely sensible to the changes in the state of 

 the atmosphere. During calm weather, it re- 

 mains at rest on the mud in the bottom of the 

 ditch ; but, at the approach of a storm, or 

 change of weather, it rises to the surface of the 

 water, and moves about with seeming uneasiness. 

 Hence it is often kept in vessels within doors by 

 the curious, for the purpose of predicting the 

 changes in the weather. In winter it buries 

 itself in the mud, and issues forth in the spring, 

 when it spawns. It is found in the marshes and 

 lakes in the midland parts of Europe. Its flesh 

 is soft, and but little sought after. 



