CH1RONOMUS PLUMOSUS. 



301 



fountain was bestrewn with the dead and dying 

 bodies of these insects drowned in the waves. 



Pupa and perfect Insect of the Chironomus Plumosut. 



De Geer,* speaking of the pupae of a moth, 

 states, that he was not fortunate enough to wit- 

 ness the manner in which they quit their watery 

 abode. But he seems to think that they quit 

 the pupa case, then mount to the surface of 

 the water, or up some aquatic plant, in order 

 to reach a dry spot, where they remain, their 

 wings being developed afterwards, and that 

 thus the risk of their being wetted is avoided. 

 Their bodies being lighter than the water, he 



* See page 241. 



