O N D L I F E BY ED WA RD C . A SH . L N D T J A C K O O N : . C . E . C . 6 LONG AC RE W C AND EDI NBURG H 7 , . , NEW YORK : DODG E P UBLI SH I NG c o . C ONTENTS I NTRODU CTI ON II . A! UATIC CRUST ACE AN S V T R P ID E RS . WA E S L S I! . SNAI INTRODU CTION TH ERE lar e nu mb ers of eo le w ho are g p p , unfortunately miss a ood of The live their great many of the g things this world. y lives without knowing anything of the wonders that surround e l to them . Th re are some keen searchers after knowledge, a ive e — the fact that time is precious, and there is much to l arn but there are also countless numbers w ho are so ignorant that they do not i e realise that there is anyth ng b neath the surface , and to they simply live make the best of their positions, and take interest in nothing in particular. And there are yet a few — one meets such occasionally that scoff at everything which does not concern them personally. l as The reader wil , I hope, peruse this introduction carefully, to hi s e for e e it may add or her pl asure, a little el m ntary know ledge is required ii the intention is to take an intelligent interest in what follows . l or Every iving thing , whether plant animal, whether it be or of e o r f the leaves, flowers, fruit the form r, flesh and muscle o the latter, is made of many single cells, and each cell essen tiall of s y consists a wall that surround it, protoplasm, and a nucleus . n nor Protoplasm without nucleus can ot exist , can the a is aliv nucleus without protoplasm . And e ch cell typically to f u to o . that is say, it is able to m ltiply, make more its kind — Thus an animal grows larger year by year the ovule forms the plant . i 1 - 2 Living th ngs are roughly divided into ( ) single celled, ( ) - - as many celled things. The single celled animals are known — - Protozoa many celled as Metazoa . i a When a cell multipl es, the nucleus divides and its p rts take V vi INTRODUCTION of up a position at opposite sides the cell, a wall is formed, and . as tw o cells result These cells are known daughter cells . m A single cell may have per anent projections known as cilia i to e of (ha rs) , and may be able change its shap , by means tem orar — e a p y elongations known scientifically as Ps udopodi , or to t emporary feet . It is wise remember that single cells are i e e i not mperfect , in fact th y are far more adapted to th ir l fe of - a than some the many celled cre tures . Nor is there any justification in labelling amoeba and other Protozoa as the of beginning life for we find that the amoeba , simple as it may c be, is dependent for food on organic matter . The organi matter consists of living plants and the remains of decomposed plants and animals . We can roughly divide pond life into large small very sm ll Ani mals a mi croscopically large small minute and plants into similar divisions. : For example the newt would be amongst the large, the e - - e wat r beetle amongst the small, whilst the water mit , a i e he c b e t . reature only just v sible, would class d as very small With the aid of the microscope comparatively large animals will n e c e us be easily exami d (su h as vorticella), a higher pow r shows l ul e the amoeba, and a sti l higher power wo d give us a cl ar &c. picture of the smaller diatoms , J ust as the pond inhabitants vary in size so likewise does their habitat . Some live in the mud at the bottom of the pond, o n of e - e others the lower branches wat r we ds, and many others, ” to the . again, are usually at home nearer surface Our b e are c equipment , therefore, must such that we able to colle t - n our creatures from any ordinary situation . The pond hu ter needs no expensive appliances for his work ; all he requires he ul can easily procure or make for himself, and if he sho d wish to save time a very little outlay will buy the necessary equipment. as - e Of course, just in every other matter, if the pond hunt r to on do so wishes spend more his appliances , he can always , I NTROD UCTIO N v ii ’ u er b t to the writ s mind, the simpler the outfit, the more the ” l a of fun. The app iances essenti lly consist l - ( ) a drag net, 2 - ( ) a hand net, 3 e ( ) s veral jam jars . The Hand-net should be made of strong canvas of a small ul l to i of wi or mesh, and sho d be careful y sewn on a r ng re cane . of im rtance as I do r to The sewing is m , and not p ofess be an I is expert on needlework, all that am able to advise, that it so to c of should be done as allow no hance fraying . The finished net should be fastened on to a fairly strong but not too heavy stick . The Drag- net is a metal or woo d frame triangular in shape n i a for - The ot requ red is rather l rger than the hand net . The of u se as e of wooden frame is perhaps the most , by m ans holes bored at suitable distances it allows for the attachment of weights when necessary . a of or Hunting the st g amongst the hills Somersetshire, the on s of . fox the level land the Midlands , are both arts Likewise f s the hunting o a pond with succe s requires experience , although it may often happen that the first attempts may give good is - results . But it only by collecting that the pond hunter learns where to find the various creatures he requires . — — Water is heavy a gallon weighs 10 lb s. and foolish is he who mu st carry a gallon of water several miles to his home in order to procure some minute creatures, which would be equally safe, not or s if safer, in half a pint even le s . to a is n of A very simple way save c rrying water, by mea s a filtering tin or bottle. of A tin with holes punched through the sides, a piece very has fine muslin tightly fastened round the holes, been found by e to b e the writ r more or less satisfactory. A still simpler idea is to have a cylinder of Copper wire gauze of is so a i very fine texture . The latter e s ly carried that it is perhaps one of the best methods to advocate . It seems hardly necessary to give any details as to methods of f c - using nets . Su fi e it to say that the drag net should be s weighted or lightened depending on pond condition . The net viii INTRODUCTION should be drawn through the water with considerable speed for be consideration must be allowed obstacles , as a net can e &c n very easily destroy d by submerged wood, rocks, . On lifti g out to of to it care must be taken allow some the water escape, or else the strain occasioned may lead to the tearing of the net ; i sad c one w to do . a very occurren e, when is ardent th much work It is advisable when lifting ou t the net to seize it as near to its l contents as possible. The net shou d then be opened and l out i turned gradual y inside , the contents placed in var ous to e bottles in just enough water allow fre movement . of r Small pieces decaying wood, unhealthy discolou ed weeds for should be placed in other jars (in water) , these are certain to of be the homes various creatures, specially rotifers , and other animalcul es that seem to have a depraved taste for decom s po ing vegetable matter. Any creature of particular interest shoul d be put with others of or a kindly disposition , the collector may have a similar ex erience to p the writer, who having caught a very large and t comparatively rare larva, unfortuna ely placed it with various l sma ler creatures, under the mistaken idea that the weakest his goes to the wall. But on reaching home, he found rarity ” of of l hanging up by its neck, in the jaws the larva a smal - e the . wat r beetle, less than half size of its victim a of - a e The larv e water beetles, when pl ced in clos quarters , are too to only ready make the most of their opportunities, and the — other inhabitants are very soon reduced in numbers care therefore must be taken to place ferocious animals in special to f r jars, and allow them wreak their vengeance on things o l i which you have no particu ar interest .