ODONATA. 



85 



pupa moved quickly through the water, and tried to 

 dimb up the smooth sides of the dish. Reaching a 

 thick oak leaf which had purposely been placed as a 

 ladder, it climbed to the edge of the dish and caught 

 hold of the mosquito netting extending to a consider- 

 able height above the improvised aquarium. It now 

 hung, back downward, by the strong hooks on five of 

 its legs, while one of the forelegs was free. It would 



Fig. 42. 



seem as if this were a very uncomfortable position, 

 but the netting was chosen by the insect in preference 

 to a stick which had been provided for the purpose. 

 Afterward several twigs were supplied, but of the 

 eight pupae which transformed, only one chose a twig, 

 and this one fastened itself, back downward, upon 

 the lower side. At irregular intervals the abdomen 

 and legs were moved quickly and strongly in the effort 



