This species of the Water Flea differs from the last, in having its
body divided into a greater number of segments; it is also much
smaller; it is equally active with that last described, but its form
renders it more graceful in its motions. “These little creatures,” says
Mr. Pritchard, “seem to possess great discernment and cunning; for, if
approached, they remain motionless on the plant on which they reside,
in the apparent hope that they may be overlooked; but when a fit
opportunity occurs, they suddenly bend the body, and spring away with a
kind of vaulting leap.”
[Illustration: _Cyclops minutus_, much magnified.]
They inhabit the various species of confervæ, and may often be met
with in great numbers on the stalks and underside of healthy duckweed,
growing on the surface of the water. They are most numerous in April
and May, and disappear as the heat of the season increases. They will
not live in stagnant water containing much decomposed vegetation, and
require, therefore, to be kept for observation in a large vessel of
clean water. They are easily caught after a shower of rain, on the
under surface of the duckweed, by taking out a little with a basin or
cloth net. When found, they appear busily engaged in search of prey,
moving about with great activity, and examining every portion of the
plant in the most scrutinizing manner. In this pursuit the body is not
bent as in the magnified representation in the engraving, but is kept
in a straight crawling position. Their natural length is about the
three hundredth part of an inch.
The female of the last species has two outward receptacles for the
eggs; in this there is but one, and that is placed on the under part of
the animal near the tail.