consume it. Sometimes it would run a little on
the surface, and sometimes timidly and hastily
come ashore, but with the greatest caution, and
instantly plunge in again. During the whole sweet
spring of that fine year, I constantly visited my
new acquaintance. When under water he looks
grey, on account of the pearly cluster of minute
air-bubbles that adhere to his fur, and bespangle
him all over. His colour, however, is very dark
brown." . . . After entering into some descriptive details of the specimen, Mr. Dovaston proceeds: "This minute description I am enabled
to give, having caught it in an angler’s landing net,
and carefully inspected it in a white basin of
water. ‘The poor creature was extremely uneasy
under inspection, and we soon, with great plea-
sure, restored it to liberty and love, for he had a
companion, which from her paler colour and more
slender form, we doubted not was his mate, and
were fearful, by our intrusion, of giving offence to either.
"He swims very rapidly; and though he appears to dart, his very nimble wriggle is clearly discernible. He is never seen till near sunset, but I saw him every evening I watched, with the most perfect facility. They are easily discovered about the going down of the sun, on still evenings, by the undulating semicircles quickly receding from the bank of the pool, when they are dabbling at the side. I believe this to be the animal said to be so long lost in England, the Water Shrew (Sorex fodiens of Pennant). . . . . I have said he only appears at evening, and such are his general habits. Once, however, at broad and bright noon, while leaning on a tree, gazing on the sun-sparkles
