428 tHE BOAT-FLY. 



The notoneftse have obtained their name from (he fln« 

 gular manner in which they fwim on the back, prefent» 

 ing the belly uppermoft. This fituation feems admirably 

 fitted for the creature's manner of feeding, which is faid 

 to be on the under fide of plants that grow on the furface 

 of the water ; the anrimal, by having its mouth turned 

 upwards, is capable of taking its food with greater coii=. 

 venience : Nor are its motions in the leaft impeded by 

 this aukward pofture ; on the contrary, it is very nimble, 

 diving down mflantineoufly, when it perceives danger, 

 and rifing again to the furface, the twO' hind legs all the^ 

 while ferving for paddles *. 



* JiarLut, page 12^, 



