92 VARIOUS SPECIES 



Another of our members has supposed, with greater 

 probability, that the Poet referred to some of the 

 smaller gnats, whose dimensions and habits of annoy- 

 ance would alike be legitimate subjects of allusion, 

 in the mouth of Thersites, that " crusty botch of na- 

 ture," If, however, it will not be admitted, that in- 

 sects which pass their first stages in the waters are 

 those alluded to, but that those only can be meant 

 who are foimd there in their perfect state, the Gyrinus 

 may be the one, although I can scarcely see in what 

 way so frolicsome a little fellow can be branded with 

 the term "pestered." It is possible, however, for 

 none of the water insects seem to be more generally 

 known. Mr. Knapp has justly remarked, "This plain, 

 tiny, gliding water-flea, seems a very unlikely creature 

 to arrest our young attention ; but the boy with his 

 angle has not often much to engage his notice ; and 

 the social, active parties of this nimble swimmer, 

 presenting themselves at these periods of vacancy, 

 become insensibly familiar to his sight, and by many 

 of us are not observed in after-life, without recaUing 

 former hours."* I may, therefore, be justifiable in 

 introducing to your notice this very amusing little 

 insect, the Gyrinus natator, whose social Uttle parties 

 can scarcely be regarded without pleasure. It was 



* Journal of a Naturalist, p. 318, 3rd ed. 



