22 



NATURE S TEACHINGS. 



the very primitive boat known by the name of Coracle, and 

 the common Whirlwig-beetle (Gyrinus natator), which may be 

 found in nearly every puddle. The shape of the insect is 

 almost identical with that of the boat, and the paddle of the 



WHIRLWIG BEETLE AND PADDLES. 



CORACLE AND PADDLE. 



coracle is an almost exact imitation of the swimming legs of 

 the whirlwig. And, as if to make the resemblance closer, 

 many coraclers, instead of using a single paddle with two 

 broad ends, employ two short paddles, shaped very much like 

 battledores. 



