144 HOME STUDIES IN N*.TURE. 



prised to find itself in so elegant a chamber ; but it was 

 soon quiet, and on the morning following it was entire- 

 ly motionless, with its little feet and claws standing out 

 stiff and rigid. The wicked plant had killed it very 

 much quicker than it kills the snake-like larva. 



Entomostraca, too, were often captured — Daphyia, 

 Cyclops, and Oypris. These animalcules are just visi- 

 ble to the naked eye, but under the microscope are 

 beautiful and interesting objects. The lively little Cy- 



FIG. 4. — THE CYPKIS. 



pris is encased in a bivalve shell, which it opens at 

 pleasure, and thrusts out its feet and two pairs of an- 

 tennae, with tufts of feathery - like filaments. It was 

 quite wary, but nevertheless was often caught. Com- 

 ing to the entrance, it would sometimes pause a mo- 

 ment and then dash away ; at other times it would vent- 

 ure part way into the vestibule and back out as if 

 afraid. Another, more heedless, would walk in, touch 

 the trap, and find itself a prisoner. And now it mani- 

 fested alarm, drew in its feet and antennae, and closed 



