160 CONVERSATIONS ON 



light, too, that the wind will drive it about, and 

 whirl it round and round upon the top of the 

 water ; and when it is almost out, the insect 

 is tossed about in a canoe or boat of the very 

 weakest sort, while its body is a mast, which 

 appears much too large for so small a boat. 

 At last it gets far enough out of the case to 

 stretch its fore-legs, and put them down 

 upon the water (which will bear a gnat's 

 weight), and then it is safe; it spreads its 

 wings, and soon leaves the little boat which 

 was so dangerous. Here is a picture of the 

 gnat getting out of its case." 



" Well, Uncle Philip, all this is very strange ; 

 we never knew before that the gnat was a 

 sailor." 



" I suppose that you did not, boys. But as 

 we are talking of boats, pray can you think of 

 any way of making a boat move through water 

 without oars, or paddles, or sails, or something 

 to pull it along ?" 



