78 



TPIE FAMILY AQUARIUM. 



Oiliscus has a body composed of seven articulations, 

 l)esides the head and tail. His is round on the back, and 

 flat underneath, while from each side spring seven feet, 

 each growing larger as it approaches his inferior extremity.' 

 He is active and eccentric. To complete the list we may 

 add 



^ The Whirligig {Gyrinus natator), a pleasant, playful 

 little fellow, with a brilliant coat of bright bronze. Ho 



<Tjn'iiuig Nat a for 



Boat-fly (Notar^ecta). 



F^pins around in the sun, on the surface of the water, and 

 amuses himself as though he had been created for no 

 otiier purpose. His good nature and well regulated 

 appetite may always be depended upon. He is the prince 

 of jolly ones in his sphere, and too good-natured to 

 injure anything that may think proper to share his 



