302 



THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



conceives, accounts for their being able to rise to 

 its surface. Too much weight, however, must not 

 be attached to this observation, as it is not accom- 

 panied with satisfactory ocular evidence of the fact. 

 The pupa of the " dragon-fly" furnishes us with 

 a very interesting example of escape ; and it well 

 deserves the reader's attention, if he be so placed 

 as to have the opportunity of observing it. Per- 

 haps, indeed, few insects afford us such a singular 

 series of interesting facts as are to be found in the 

 escape of this one from its pupa. The best method 

 of observing their change is to procure as many of 

 the Iarva3 as possible, to put them in a basin of 

 water, at the bottom of which are a quantity of 



dead leaves, and to allow 

 several sticks to be in 

 the water touching the 

 bottom of the basin, and 

 reaching above the level 

 of the water, as shown in 

 the cut. Then we must 



Pup* f Dragon-fly. wt&i care f u U y to not i ce 



any of the larvse which, having become pupse, creep 

 towards the edge of the water. These are such 

 as will in all probability be the first to undergo 



