306 INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



The appendages which are thrown otF by the larva 

 are replaced by a brush-like bunch of bristles, the 

 points of which, it is probable, have the power of 

 extracting air from the w^ater ; and a similar coronet 

 is produced on each side of the head, disposed in a 

 five-rayed star of plumes. It is not a little remark- 

 able that a double envelope for the feet projects from 

 each side of the breast, a circumstance which seems 

 peculiar to this insect. In a few days it is trans- 

 formed into a pretty gnat, with feathered antennae 

 {Chironomus plumosus, Meigen). 



Such are a few examples of the beautiful contri- 

 vances for carrying on the important process of re- 

 spiration in that stage of life during w^hich few insects 

 take any food. Considering the great difficulties pre- 

 sented to us in the investigation of this subject, we 

 may well wonder that experiments have elucidated 

 and proved so many facts. We are still ignorant, 

 however, of the nature of the effects produced by re- 

 spiration on the fluids of pupae. 



