CHAPTER XIII 



THE CONTRIVANCES OF AQUATIC INSECTS 



THE aquatic Insects described in the foregoing 

 pages have been selected on no philosophical prin- 

 ciples. They are merely such as I have happened to 

 come across in my rambles by pond and stream. 

 But even this chance collection of aquatic species 

 may yield interesting results if studied from a suitable 

 point of view. Every independent worker has his 

 own notions as to the point of view which is par- 

 ticularly important and interesting, and I fear that 

 we are apt to be unjust to those who do not share 

 our tastes. I will not again occupy time and space by 

 justifying my own preference, which inclines me 

 chiefly to study the wealth of contrivance which is 

 exhibited by these obscure creatures. 



Let us first of all run over the modes of locomotion 

 practised by aquatic Insects. The Pond-skaters stand 

 or run upon the surface of the water, which they 

 dimple but do not break. The Water Spring-tail or 

 a small Gerris can leap from the surface-film, and 

 alight upon it unwetted. 1 The Whirligig Beetle 



1 A small Copepod Crustacean, Pontcllina mcditerranea, is 

 said to do the same. (Ostroumoff in Zool. Ans., October, 1894.) 



