WONDERS OF POND LIFE. 1 77 



swan animalcule. In a favorable ligM one can see 

 tlie cilia moving on parts of its body, which may- 

 be compared to feathers, thus adding still more to 

 the general resemblance. 



What is this transparent bag of cells gliding over 

 the glass ? It has a long lash in front, and seems 

 to be earnestly seeking for something which, so 

 far as one can see, it never finds. At last, as if 

 angry with its ill luck, it fastens its cilium to the 

 glass, lifts its body and begins to whirl around 

 in a most fantastic manner. Exhausted with its 

 efforts (if such a thing can be weary), it remains 

 motionless for some time and then resumes its end- 

 less search. May not this be the larval condition 

 of some higher infusorial life ? 



No vertebrates appear as living microscopical 

 objects, such as very small fish, swimming around 

 in the live-box. With the exception of a few 

 water-mites, the only representatives of the larger, 

 higher animals which are comparatively nearer the 

 reptiles, are the water fleas, so called, no doubt, 

 from the fact that many of the species move 

 through the water with a jerky motion, and bear 

 some resemblance to the insects. 



The most common species in the order Untomos- 

 traca (insect shelled), and one which can be found 



