24 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC INSECTS 



development of the winged imago, and the develop- 

 ment of the eggs after mating may all be omitted or 

 shortened. But the normal process is never wholly 

 suspended. Fertilised eggs are produced at regular 

 intervals by fully developed males and females, and 

 most commonly towards the end of summer, as if the 

 approaching season of scarcity and cold could only be 

 faced by fertilised eggs or their product. We cannot 

 but speculate on these curious deviations from the 

 familiar course of nature, but let us hold our specula- 

 tions cheap. Before long we may expect some im- 

 practicable fact to start up, as if maliciously, and 

 confound our theories. 



LIVE NATURAL HISTORY. 



I hope to persuade some of my readers to take up 

 the study of aquatic Insects in a practical way, and it 

 will be desirable to tell them what they may expect 

 if they do. Aquatic Insects are not a definite group 

 of animals from the point of view of zoologists, but 

 a chance lot. The grave labours of the anatomist 

 or systematist would be better bestowed upon a 

 special order or family. Aquatic Insects, however, 

 make a capital study in Natural History. While you 

 are looking for one kind you will come across another. 

 The same methods and the same tackle will do for 

 all. If a young student wants to observe the ways of 

 living creatures, we may recommend aquatic Insects 

 to him as an accessible and very imperfectly explored 

 field. He will find plenty of undescribed forms and 



