168 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



water, so the larva may move from one position 

 to another, and assume almost any variety of atti- 

 tude; but its little air-pipe still retains its per- 

 pendicular direction, and does not quit the surface 

 of the fluid. 



A singular experiment may now be tried with 

 them. Let a little water be poured into the glass 

 by means of a funnel, the end of which dips under 

 the water so as not to give them unnecessary dis- 

 turbance, and by this means the level of the water 

 in the glass becomes insensibly raised half an inch 

 or so. In a few seconds it will be found that these 

 little tails have all lengthened themselves, and are 

 again at the surface of the water, even at its higher 

 level. More water may be poured in until per- 

 haps the level is raised three or four inches, and 

 still the same thing takes place, the larva? still pro- 

 long their curious tails, until it seems as if they 

 would stretch to an indefinite length, for they are 

 already eight or ten times longer than the body ! 

 But, as we might jestingly say the longest tail 

 comes to an end at last ; for, on continuing to pour 

 more water in, the larvae stretch their tails to the 

 utmost, and then, finding the level of the water 

 still above their reach, they become uneasy, and 



