STATES OF INSECTS. (Larva.) 127 
that your own visage would present anappearance not very 
engaging while concealed by such a mask; but it would 
strike still more awe into the spectators, were they to see 
you first open the two upper jaw-like plates, which would 
project from each temple like the blinders of a horse; 
and next, having by means of the joint at your chin let 
down the whole apparatus and uncovered your face, em- 
ploy them in seizing any food that presented itself, and 
conveying it to your mouth. Yet this procedure is that 
adopted by the larvee provided with this strange organ. 
While it is at rest, it applies close to and covers the face. 
When the insects would make use of it, they unfold it 
like an arm, catch the prey at which they aim by means 
of the mandibuliform plates, and then partly refold it so 
as to hold the prey to the mouth in a convenient position 
for the operation of the two pairs of jaws with which they 
are provided. Reaumur once found one of them thus 
holding and devouring alarge tadpole ;—a sufficient proof 
that Swammerdam was greatly deceived in imagining 
earth to be the food of animals so tremendously armed 
and fitted for carnivorous purposes. Such an under-lip 
as I have described is found in the tribe of dragon-flies 
(Libellulina); varied, however, considerably in its figure 
in the different genera. In the larva of Libellula Fab., 
such as Libellula depressa, &c. it is of the shape above 
described; so exactly resembling a mask, that if Ento- 
mologists ever went to masquerades, they could not more 
effectually relieve the insipidity of such amusements and 
attract the attention of the demozselles, than by appearing 
at the supper table with a mask of this construction, and 
serving themselves by its assistance. It would be difficult, 
to be sure, by mechanism to supply the place of the mus- 
