196 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. XI 



When conjoined, the upper surface of the mass pre- 

 sents to the eye the appearance of an infinite series 

 of points. In arranging and floating this raft of 

 eggs the gnat displays surprising ingenuity. They 

 are discharged one by one, vertically, and not hori- 

 zontally from the extremity of the insect ; for this 

 purpose it generally fixes itself on some solid sub- 

 stance, such as the bank of the water, or on a float- 

 ing leaf. Standing on its four feet, it stretches out 

 the two hindmost legs; these being crossed, form 



an angle in which the first egg is laid ; the second is 

 placed next, and they adhere by means of a gluti- 

 nous matter surrounding each. The gnat places them 

 thus with the abdomen solely: when a sufficient 

 number of eggs have been placed side by side, to 

 render the base of the mass large enough to balance 

 the height for it is clear that a few eggs only could 

 not float upright on so narrow a stem as they pos- 

 sess the gnat launches its precious vessel, and 

 fearlessly commits its cherished young to that little 

 ocean which is fraught with so many dangers to 

 itself. 



The mass thus glued together, consisting of be- 

 tween two hundred and fifty and three hundred eggs, 

 is of an oblong form, and considerably resembles a 

 little boat in shape. And it possesses not only the 

 form, but also most of the other properties of a boat ; 

 its fore and hind parts being sharp and higher than 

 the middle ; the lower part on which it always floats 

 being convex, and the upper part concave. It is 

 likewise so buoyant that no agitation of the water, 

 however violent, can sink it ; and what is still more 

 deserving of admiration, although hollow, it never 



