A READY-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 larve 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 
