I s * THE MAY-FLY. 



But now to examine more minutely our cloud-dropt insect 

 specimen, 



" Extinguished not decayed."* 



Look at these four unequal wings, with nervures so delicately 

 reticulate, resembling the finest lace, the meshes filled by 

 yellowish glassy membrane, and " freaked " with dark brown 

 spots or squares. On the narrow chest, and long and flexible 

 body, the same colours are harmoniously disposed in spots and 

 rings, and even the three slender filaments which form the tail 

 are ringed, en suite, with black and yellow, the whole being 

 covered by a natural varnish. How nicely jointed, also, and 

 finely polished are the six tapering legs, of which the two 

 foremost are much longer than the others, forming, when 



4 



placed together and stretched forward, a sort of counterpoise 

 in flight to the filaments of the tail. Besides the large com- 

 pound eyes, which occupy a great portion of the head, we can 

 just discern without a magnifier (and clearly with one) three 

 shining spots disposed in a triangle close behind them. These 

 are the ocelli or simple eyes, common to most other perfect 

 insects. 



And all this external beauty, with internal organism yet more 

 admirable, is intended but for the duration and uses of less 

 than a single day ! Fewer organs and far less adornment 

 might seem, in our contracted judgment, to have sufficed for 

 creatures destined during so short a time to employ the former, 

 and to have the latter, in most cases overlooked at least by 



* Vignette. 



