292 



INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



leon-fly ( Stratiomys chameleon )y whose sirigular 

 larva we formerly described.* When this draws near 

 the period of its transformation, it leaves the water, 

 betaking itself to the adjacent bank, or to the plants 

 which float on the water, creeping up so as to leave 

 only a part of its tail submersed. In this position it 

 remains, contracting itself by degrees in a manner 

 scarcely perceivable, and losing all power of loco- 

 motion. The internal portion of the tail at the same 

 time separates gradually and insensibly from the ex- 

 terior skin, becoming greatly contracted ; and, ga- 

 thering into three or four curvatures, the extremity 

 is thereby left empty. Into this space the air pene- 

 trates and soon fills the place previously occupied by 

 the body, which is now contracted to one-third of its 

 former size. When the air is prevented by too much 



A, Pupa of chameleon-fly, with tlie Ud of the pupariiim raised. 

 B, the same magnified, and the puparium laid open to slio«- tlie 

 embrvo lly. C, the embrvo fly magnitied —a a, anteniire ; t> h, 

 the eyes; c, sncker ; d d, "first pair of legs; e e, second pair : 

 //. the wings folded up ; </ A i, rings of the body ; k k. broathing- 

 tubes. 



* Pa?c 156, 7. 



