British D i v igo )i flics . 



When the skin is dry, it cracks across the head, 

 longitudinally along the dorsal surface of the thorax, 

 and transversel)' just in front of the wings, and the 

 thorax and head of the imago emerge. The wings 

 follow, and the legs are graduall}^ drawn out ; then the 

 fore-part of the body usually falls backwards,'^ as if the 

 insect was exhausted and could not complete its 

 emergence (Fig. <S ). In this position of rest, from 

 which it seems likely to fall into the water at any 

 moment, it remains for some time — say a quarter 

 of an hour to an hour, according to the size of the 

 insect, and perhaps other circumstances. After gather- 

 ing strength, it may be from this rest, and the legs 

 possibK' haxing hardened, with a sudden effort it curves 

 its bod}' forward and up to the now empt}' thorax 

 of the nymph-case, draws out the end of its abdomen, 

 and is thus seen hanging to the empty case, which still 

 retains its hold upon the rush, or whatever the support 

 may be, and in this wa\', to adapt the words of 

 Tenn}'son, the insect appears to 



" . . rise on stepping-stones 

 Of its dead self to higher things." f 



The newl)--disclosed imago is of a nearl}- luiiform 

 ding}-, brownish-yellow tinge, retains much the shape 

 of the nymph, and possesses the tiniest of opaque 

 wings (Fig. 9). But let him who has watched 

 thus far watch still more closel}' now ! The higher 

 animals develop gradually and continuously, but insects 



* In the case, however, of an emergence of Pyrrhosoiua iivmphiila, closely 

 watched throughout, the miago did not fall back at all, but kept the fore- 

 ]iart of its body erect during the resting period. An Aiirion piiella caught 

 in the act of emerging was at the time also resting with its body erect. 



t " In JNIemoriam," i. 



