24 THE MICROSCOPE. 



came evident that, as in the case of many a 

 nobler conflict, a collision would ensue between 

 the allies in the process of destruction. The 

 collision came, and at length the stronger hydra 

 made short work of it with his rival ; for he not 

 only swallowed the small worm, but its destroyer 

 on the opposite side of the field of battle. It 

 might be expected that this tragic occurrence 

 would put an end at least to one of the com- 

 batants, that the curtain had finally dropped 

 upon the scene, and that over the strange grave 

 of the departed the inscription might now be 

 recorded " De eo actum est !" " It is all over 

 with him !" But not so ; for, after an impri- 

 sonment of an hour or so in this novel dungeon 

 the stomach of its antagonist the smaller 

 Hydra marched forth, if not with all the ho- 

 nours of war, at least without apparent serious 

 injury. As boys, we have all wondered and 

 laughed at the old story of the water-serpent, 

 the Hydra of the marsh of Lerna ; but how often, 

 in after-life, are we reminded that the realities 

 in God's works are more marvellous than all 

 the romance of fable ! 



4. Let us pass over the Microscopic history 



