THE CANOE OF THE WATER-MOTH. 



159 



pressed against the tipper branch, as if to keep the whole pile 

 steady. The lady pitied the poor, shivering little creatures, and 

 the next day she nailed to the branch a square box, lined with 

 flannel, with a very small round hole by way of door. When the 

 wrens came to go to bed they examined the box, and soon seemed 

 to understand all about it, for they crowded in eagerly, jostlmg 

 each other in their hurry to get into the fine new bedroom. The 

 next night there were more of them, and more and more, till at last 

 more than forty-wrens would crowd into the box, which did not 

 seem big enough to hold more than half that number. Just think! 

 Forty kings and queens, all in one palace! What a proud lady she 

 must have been! 



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THE CAXOB OF THE WATER-MOTH. 



Thb gnat builds his egg boat. The water-moth, another 

 Jittle creature, puts together a real canoe. It is a very curious 

 thing, made of bits of straw and reeds all matted together. 

 It is just the shape of the caterjDillar that lives in it. The insect 

 breathes with gills just like a fish, and yet cannot swim. 



So he fastens this straw and grass together, winding them all 

 around with his own silk. The body of the caterpillar is soft and 

 delicate, you know, and might get hurt if it was left exposed. 

 This is the reason why he covers it so carefully, all but his head. 



This funny sort of canoe is open at both ends. It is so fixed 

 that when the grub is tired of sailing he can sink down upon the 

 sand. Reaching out of the upper end are his six little feet, with 

 which he drags his small boat after him whenever he wants to get 



