84 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



in length. It crawls about upon the bottom of the ponds and over 

 the water plants, searching for food, part of which consists of fish 

 eggs, to which they are very destructive, devouring them wherever 

 found. 



Another voracious enemy of the crustacean tribe is 



THE WATER FL&A 



(Gamarus pulex.) 



or Flea Crab, Buck Crab, etc. This lively little creature is closely 

 related to the shrimp found in the ocean. It furrows through the 



THE WATER FLEA (enlarged). THE WATER ASELL (enlarged}. 



water in any direction lying on its side, because its back is naturally 

 bent. (See illustration.) In all stages of its growth it feeds upon 

 the fish eggs, but in turn, furnishes an excellent food for young fish. 



THE BOAT FLY 



(Notonecta glauca,) 



or "Shoemaker," as it is commonly called, is a most voracious 

 insect. The body is long, contracted posteriorly, convex above 

 and flat below, having hair at the sides and extremities, which, 

 when spread out, supports the insect upon the water. The 

 head is large and presents a large eye upon each side, giving 

 the possessor the power of vision in all directions. The color 

 of the body is a greenish grey, the wings are white, of the legs, 



