I
want to do my aquarium my own way; and I gave most towards buying the
bell-glass, so it's more mine than yours."
"Well, do as you like; only let us have plenty of water-boatmen," said
Molly.
"I've got half-a-dozen at least; and the last sweep I went very low,
quite in the mud, and I've got some most horrid things. There's one of
them like a flat-iron, with pincers at the point."
"That's a water-scorpion. Oh, Francis! he eats dreadfully."
"I don't believe he can, he's so flat. Molly, is that nasty-looking
thing a dragon-fly larva?"
"I believe it is; for there is the mask. You know his face is so ugly
nothing would come near him if he didn't wear a mask. Then he lifts it
up and snaps suddenly; _he_ really _does_ eat everything!"
"Well, I can't help it. I must have him. I want to see him hatch; and I
shall plant a bullrush for him to climb up."
"I found a caddis-worm, with a beautifully built house, in the roots of
the Water-Soldier, and I'm going to look along the edge for some shells.
We must have shell-fish, you know, to keep the aquarium clean. Oh!"
"What is it, Molly? What have you found?"
"Oh, such a lovely spider! A water-spider--a scarlet spider. He's very
small, but such a colour! Francis dear, may I keep him all to myself? I
don't think I _can_ let him go in with the others.
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