OE, THE HOME-CULTUEE OF FEESH-WATEE PLANTS. 
perceived a division in the blackened skin of the 
hack. As I saw that the opening widened, my 
curiosity became again excited, and I determined to 
watch and see if any other change would follow. 
Taking a hook, therefore, I sat down near the object 
of my attention. I had not read many pages, turn¬ 
ing frequently towards the remains upon the stick, 
when suddenly—I shall never forget the surprise of 
that moment—when suddenly, the opening of the 
back was much widened, as by some sudden effort, 
and the greater part of a glittering Dragon-fly be¬ 
came plainly visible; very quickly the whole insect 
emerged from the blackened shell, spreading its 
great gossamer wings to the sun, which was shining 
brightly through the window. 
I had, by a lucky accident—for I can hardly call 
it the result of a course of observation—witnessed 
one of the most extraordinary and complete of the 
metamorphoses that occur in the whole range of 
insect life, and was all anxiety to pursue my dis¬ 
coveries. I was, however, baffled in all future 
attempts, at that time, to extend my knowledge of 
the mysterious creatures of the world of waters, and 
it was not till recent discoverers have shown how 
the Aquarium may be made the means of facilitating 
studies of that class, combined with an elegant and 
