AND THEIR INHABITANTS. 



229 



one marsh to another. It has a most powerful 

 rostrum, with which it can inflict a painful bite on 

 man. This bite is fatal to insects from some sup- 

 posed poisonous injection. The anatomy of these 

 water-bugs is well worthy of close investigation. If 

 the weather is fine, dragon-flies make their first 



EPHEMERID^: OR DAY-FLIES. 



appearance this month ; they have been developed 

 in a marvellous manner in the ponds and ditches, and 

 excite our wonder and delight as they hover over the 

 delicately-shaded pool to prey on the minute gnats 

 and ephemeridae. 



