ROUND ABOUT A SPRING. 



59 



the victims upon which they pounce." When I 

 found the timid banded sunfish huddled together 

 in the water moss I thought of the savage Belos- 

 toma and hunted for them. None seemed to be 

 lurking in the moss, but just beyond, in an open 

 space where twigs had drifted and dead leaves 

 lay about, I found two of them, and I doubt not 

 they were lying in wait, knowing where the fish 

 then were and that sooner or later some would 

 pass that way. To determine by means of crude 

 experiments how far a water-bug has intelligence 

 is a difficult if not impracticable undertaking, 

 but I can assure the reader that the many I have 

 watched in aquaria seemed to be very cunning, 

 and constantly planning how they might surprise 

 the fish, for these, on the other hand, knew the 

 danger of their presence, and shunned them in 

 every possible way. 



It is much to be regretted, I think, that aqua- 

 ria have fallen into disrepute. They are not, as 

 has been said, failures ; but if the labor of their 

 care can not be undertaken, let him who would 

 know more of common aquatic life not fail to oc- 

 casionally ramble 'round about the springs in 

 winter 



