SOME ODD INSECTS 21 



though how such a very thin creature can eat 

 at all seems really a puzzle. 



This insect is sometimes called the " Water- 

 measurer," because as it creeps over the 

 surface of the pond it looks just as if it were 

 measuring the 

 water with its 

 long, thin 

 legs. 



The Pond- 

 skaters are 

 very like the 

 Stick - insects, 

 but their heads 

 are not quite 

 so long, and 



they are not quite so thin. They have 

 exceedingly long legs though, and are much 

 more lively than the slow-going Water Stick- 

 insects. Instead of creeping slowly about, 

 the Pond- skaters skim along the top of the 

 water at a very great rate, or skip and 

 jump about in the most amusing manner. 

 They patter over the surface of the pond just 

 as if it was dry land, and do not even wet their 

 tiny feet. 



How is it, do you think, that these strange 



