106 PUP7E OF CRANE-FLIES. 



earthy roots or rooty earth, in the midst of which it how- 

 ever quietly remains ; while under the encasing form of pupa* 

 the long legs, with all accompanying members of the " coming" 

 fly, are brought by degrees to their full measure and perfection. 

 Before, however, this important epoch quite arrives, our 

 Father Longlegs, now a long fellow in a sack, seeming through 

 a load of superincumbent earth to smell the air, contrives, 

 cleverly, to work himself upwards, not merely to the surface 

 of the ground, but to an inch or two above it of upright 

 elevation. Thus supported by surrounding blades and stalks 

 of grass, comes forth, at length, in all his disproportioned, yet 

 appropriate lengthiness of limb, the Tipula, alias Crane-fy, 

 alias Tailor, alias Jenny Spinner, alias Father Longlegs, whose 

 long history we thus end just where we began it. 



Pupa-cases, such as above described, either occupied or 

 vacant, may sometimes be seen in scores amongst the herbage 

 where crane-flies are abundant. The practice of these, in 

 wrifffflinff themselves towards or above the surface, whether of 



oo o 



ground or tree, wherein they have been imbedded, is one fre- 

 quently exemplified in the pupae, or chrysalides, of various 

 insects, whose delicate wings would otherwise be injured in the 

 bursting from their temporary tombs. One amongst thou- 

 sands, this, of those nice provisions of Providential care, such 

 as cannot but excite our love and admiration. 



Besides the common Tipula^ there are others of nearly 



Pupa of Tipula. f Tipula oleracia. 



