300 THE HYDUOPHILUS. 



cuous and notable of all its appurtenances are those which arm 

 the head, the large strong jaws curved and pointed, opening and 

 shutting like a pair of forceps, with an apparatus of other instru- 

 ments, smaller and finer, to assist in piercing, tearing, masti- 

 cating, and sucking the juices of its victims, which comprise, as 

 the infant destroyer advances to maturity, almost every aquatic 

 insect within reach ; and in failure of these, the brethren of one 

 common nest will turn their fangs upon each other. On a fine 

 sunny day, these insect sharks arise to the surface of the water 

 where they delight to bask. If watched, they remain motion- 

 less, with their jaws extended, and if a stick be presented to 

 them, they will seize it, and will sometimes, it is said, permit 

 themselves to be cut to pieces rather than relinquish their hold. 

 After the completion of its life as a larva, the Hydrophilus 

 immures itself in a cell of its own formation, near the water's 

 edge, and after passing through the next stage of pupa or 

 chrysalis, emerges a perfect Beetle. In this form it is some- 

 times found by day sitting on plants beside the water, which, 

 with the gloomy habits of its tribe, it deserts for the air only 

 by night. This creature of darkness and ferocity (or one 

 closely allied to it "*) is said, when arrived at maturity, to out- 

 grow its carnivorous propensities, and in lieu of animal and 

 living prey, to content itself, when a Beetle, with the vegetable 

 growth of ponds and ditches, t 



* Hydrophihis caraboides, Curtis. 



f For fuller description of this insect, see Microscopic Cabinet, Goring and 

 Pritchard. 



