STRAW-COLOURED GNAT. 55 



which form the white-plumed antennae of this species of 

 gnat, when in its perfect state, are discernible in the 

 larva, folded up under the skin near the head, at e, in 

 fig. 1. The alimentary canal appears nearly to vanish in 

 the pupa, as in that state there is no necessity for it, the 

 insect then entirely abstaining from food ; while, near 

 this canal, the two intertwined vessels, seen in the larva, 

 have now become more distinct, and are supplied with 

 several anastomosing branches. 



During the latter part of the day on which the drawing, 

 fig. 2, was taken, the rudiments of the legs of the perfect 

 insect might be seen, folded within that part which ap- 

 pears to be the head of the pupa ; and several of the 

 globules had vanished, those remaining longest that were 

 situated nearest the head. It may be necessary to ob- 

 serve, that the head of the pupa floats just under the sur- 

 face of the water ; and the insect, in this state, is nearly 

 upright in that fluid ; while the larva swims with its body 

 in a horizontal position, or rests on its belly or sides, at 

 the bottom of the pond or vessel in which it is kept, the 

 fringed tail being downwards. 



The circuitous manner in which the Creator appears to 

 produce this species of gnat, and many other of His 

 smaller creatures, is truly wonderful. Other beings are 

 produced directly, either from the egg or the maternal 

 womb. As, however, the Deity does nothing in vain, it may 

 be presumed that He must have had in view some impor- 

 tant object in the preliminary steps through which these 

 beings have to pass — from the eyy to the larva, crysalis, 



