POAETQUISSINGS IN WINTER. 49 



lain down upon the frozen creek, and, covering myself 

 with a blanket to exclude the light, peered down into 

 the depths, when the sun was brightly shining, to watch 

 the movements of such life as was active at the time. 



After many repetitions of these observations on suc- 

 cessive days the terrestrial life on the creek banks be- 

 came quite accustomed to my presence, and soon inquis- 

 itiveness replaced fear. This was amusingly illustrated 

 in one instance by a weasel, in crossing the creek on the 

 ice, stopping to investigate the peculiar something lying 

 in its path. Peering under the blanket, it either heard 

 my blood circulating or smelled it. At all events, it gave 

 my ankle a nip which brought me quickly to my feet, 

 and sent the bloodthirsty wretch scudding over the ice 

 with marvellous rapidity. How the crows laughed ! I 

 had noticed a flock of these birds when I went to the 

 creek, and had been wondering if their incessant cawing 

 was not a discussion of ujy curious movements. They 

 were, possibly, disposed to think me a trap laid for 

 them, but were astonished or amused at my sudden re- 

 gaining of the perpendicular when the weasel offered to 

 investigate the matter. 



To return to the infra-crystic life. This proves to be 

 nearly as abundant as in summer, and the changes of 

 habits necessitated by the difference in the season is 

 exceedingly instructive. Even the restless gyrinus, or 

 scuttle-bug, that keeps the summer surface of the creek 

 in constant commotion, is now active as ever, deep down 

 in the water, each glistening with its bubble of air which 

 it carries along with it. Where it gets a fresh supply 

 when this becomes exhausted is easily determined ; for, 



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