[ 74 ] 
their tails j which latter eircumftance is common to 
almoft all aquatick infects. 
In the ditch from whence thefe were taken, there 
were a vaft multitude of the fame kind, though 
they have not been found in any other place that I 
know of. From their being prolifick in this ftate, I 
fufpect it to be their only one, and that they are 
merely aquatick, and never turn to dies, as many 
infedts found in water do : but then it feems very 
unaccountable, how they came to be in fuch abun- 
dance in this ditch, and no where elfe, at leaf! fo 
as to be obferved. 
They were difcovered by a poor man, now dead, 
whole genius was very extraordinary, and much 
fuperior to what is ufually found in his rank of life. 
He was indefatigable in his fearches after every thing 
curious in nature, and, without ever having had any 
advantages of education, had acquired a degree of 
knowledge by no means contemptible. He kept a 
great number of thefe infe&s for a confiderable time, 
and they feemed to receive their nourishment chiefly 
from the water itfelf, or from the molt minute ani- 
malcules in it not being perceived to feed on any 
thing that could be taken notice of. .1 had feveral of 
them for fome days in my cuftody, from which I 
took this drawing j and they were feen and obferved 
by many perfons. 
VTTI An 
i 
