36 LIVING LIGHTS. 



some fun of riding upon the backs of the great sea-turtles, 

 kept there for the commissaries' use, had fished in every nook 

 and corner, and now the opportunity was presented for pene- 

 trating below the surface of the bottom. 



Some little digging showed, that, for a foot or more from 

 the surface, the sand and mud was fairly alive with a variety 

 of worms, numerous to an extraordinary extent, and in 

 many cases beautiful beyond description. This condition of 

 things is true, to a greater or less extent, in many localities ; 

 the worms retiring to the mud and other retreats during the 

 day, at night venturing out, and even swimming at the 

 surface. 



If we take a drop of water from any ditch or pond, or even 

 from the stem of a flower that has been standing in a vase, 

 and place it under a microscope of even ordinary power, we 

 shall find that it is a world of itself; a vast ocean, in fact, 

 to the many forms that live there. Chief among these drop 

 inhabitants, we notice numbers of little creatures that attract 

 attention immediately. They resemble tall hats without 

 brims, or crystal bags with fringed edges. And that they are 

 busy bodies is at once evident, as they swim along at a won- 

 derful rate of speed, eating as they go, keeping their fringes 

 or cilia, which appear like so many arms, in perpetual motion ; 

 now bumping against each other, forcing their way among 

 crowds of different animals, and always appearing full of life 

 and energy. 



These little creatures, invisible to the naked eye, are 

 minute worms, or Rotifers ; and among them we find some 

 interesting light-givers. The Synachata is one ; and others 

 described by Ehrenberg, the largest being about one-eighth 

 of a line in size, present a striking appearance under the 



