THE WONDEES OF THE SHOEE. 193 



among timber, has multiplied, self-sown, to so pro- 

 digious an extent, that it bids fair, in a few years, to 

 choke the navigation not only of our canals and fen- 

 rivers, but of the Thames itself:* or, in default of 

 these, some of the more delicate pond weeds ; such 

 as Callitriclie, Potamogeton pusillum, and, best of all, 

 perhaps, the beautiful Water-Milfoil (Myriophy Ilium), 

 whose comb-lilvc leaves are the haunt of numberless 

 rare and curious animalcules : — these (in themselves, 

 from the transparency of their circulation, interesting 

 microscopic objects) for oxygen-breeding vegetables ; 

 and for animals, the pickings of any pond ; a minnow 

 or two, an eft ; a few of the delicate pond-snails 

 (unless they devour your plants too rapidly) ; water- 

 beetles, of activity inconceivable, and that w^ondrous 

 bug the JS"otonecta, who lies on his back all day, 

 rowing abou.t his boat-shaped body, with one long 



* But if any young lady, her aquarium having failed, shall (as 

 dozens do) cast out the same Anacharis into the nearest ditch, she 

 shall be followed to her grave by the maledictions of all miller.s 

 and trout fishers. Seriously, this is a wanton act of injury to the 

 neighbouring streams, which must be carefully guarded against. 

 As well turn loose queen-wasps to build in your neighbour's 

 banks. 



O 



