A KEADY-MADE CANOE. 319 



she twists about the eggs, and tightly glues them 

 together, into a very beautiful little boat-shaped 

 bundle, that floats and drifts about in the water. 

 In sunny weather the eggs are speedily hatched, 

 and the larvte lead an aquatic life. They are 

 very active, diving to the bottom with great 

 rapidity, and as quickly ascending to the sur- 

 face to breathe ; the respiratory organs being 

 situated near the tail, on the eighth segment of 

 the abdomen, they hang, as it were, in the 

 water, head downwards. After shifting the skin 

 three or four times, they change into the pupa 

 form, in which state they move about, even more 

 actively than before, aided by the tail, and two 

 organs like paddles, attached to it. In this stage 

 of their existence they never feed (I only wish 

 they would always remain in this harmless condi- 

 tion) ; and although they still suspend themselves 

 in the water, the position is reversed, the breath 

 ing organs being now placed on the chest. 



The final change to the perfect or winged 

 state is most curious, and well worth careful 

 attention. The pupa-case splits from end to 

 end; and, looking moist and miserable, with 

 crumpled wings, the little fly floats on its 

 previous home, an exquisite canoe of Nature's 

 own contriving. A breeze of wind sufficient to 



