76 CONVERSATIONS ON 



ning from the spring might wash it down and 

 carry it away, the wonderful little creature 

 takes care to anchor it by fastening a pretty 

 large stone to it when it has nearly finished it. 



Sand Nest, balanced with a Stone 



And as the worm anchors it when it is too 

 light, so it lightens it when it is too heavy, 

 by fixing a bit of light wood or hollow straw 

 to it to buoy it up." 



Nest of Caddis-worm, balanced with Straws. 



" Well, this is truly a wonderful insect, 

 Uncle Philip." 



" Truly so indeed, boys. In all these cases 

 it uses its water-proof cement, and if you break 

 its house to pieces, and will patiently watch, 

 you may see it build another. The insect 

 always lives with its head out of doors, and 

 its body inside ; so that its head is firm and 

 hard, while its body is soft." 



" Uncle Philip," said one of the larger boys, 

 " there is one thing I have been thinking 



