70 Aquatic Lite 
varying length. Ten days to a month 
may pass, or eggs may be deposited daily 
for a considerable period. 
The digestive tract is long and convo- 
luted, equal to about two and one-third 
times the length of the fish, which indi- 
cates that it is vegetarian in nature, plants 
forming its principal food. This should 
be considered in breeding, and an old 
tank well grown with alge should be pro- 
vided. It is not, however, averse to ani- 
mal foods. It is quite ferocious and will 
kill and devour fishes larger than itself, 
Like wolves, a number 
observed to 
even its own kin. 
of individuals have been 
make a concerted attack upon one com- 
mon victim. From this it follows that 
it is scarcely a desirable fish for a “happy 
family” tank. Such species as Fundulus 
heteroclitus and F. majalis, themselves 
ageressive, are unable to withstand its 
attacks.—Editor. ) 
Dr. Shufeldt Returns 
to the Regular Army 
At his own request, Dr. R. W. Shu- 
feldt has been returned to the active list 
of the Medical Corps of the Regular 
Army, and has been detailed to the Army 
Medical Museum, in Washington. This 
is quite in line with his tastes and desires, 
but may necessarily cause a curtailment 
in certain other research work. 
It is interesting to note that a sum of 
money has recently been made available 
for a resumption of the publications by 
the office of the Surgeon General of the 
Army. This new series has been founded 
for the purpose of opening an avenue for 
the publication of such contributions on 
human and comparative anatomy, both 
normal and pathological, as medical offi- 
cers of the army may contribute, and 
which come up to the standard required 
by the Advisory Board, approved of by 
the Surgeon General and the Secretary 
of War. In this new series of Bulletins, 
the first to appear will be by Dr. Shu- 
feldt, and is entitled “A Comparative 
Study of Certain Cranial Sutures in the 
Primates.” 
Dr. Shufeldt is at present writing a 
history of ichthyology for AguarTic 
Lire. The first part, which concerns the 
work of Aristotle, has been received, and 
will be published in an early number.— 
Editor. 
———= 
The Water Spider 
The water-spiders are ordinary-look- 
ing members of their class, and can live 
quite well on land, but are at home in 
the water. Their bodies are covered with 
fine, close hairs, amongst which the air 
is entangled when they descend beneath 
the water. 
appearance ; 
spider. 
The Water-spider constructs its nest 
beneath the water 1n an interesting man- 
ner. 
= Awe 
Che air gives them a silvery 
hence the name _ Silver- 
First descending, it spins a close 
When 
finished, it rises to the surface and pro- 
trudes the hinder part of its body, thus 
obtaining an air bubble, which it holds by 
web amongst the water-plants. 
means of its hind legs, and climbs down 
a thread spun for the purpose to the web, 
under which it releases the bubble which 
is retained by the web. ‘This is repeated 
many times until the web is dome-shaped 
The nest is 
iow used as a refuge, winter quarters or 
by the accumulation of air. 
to contain the eggs, though a special one 
may be built for the latter purpose. 
Water-spiders feed on small land and 
water animals, and occasionally on each 
other. 
Been cea 
Love your neighbor and share your 
daphne with him; yet don’t pull down 
your fence. 
