SOME ODD INSECTS 23 



they can, and do, dive sometimes, they never 

 get wet. But the Pond- skaters much prefer 

 skating on the top of the water, and very 

 seldom go below ; though one of these long- 

 legged water folk is sometimes seen running 

 upside down on the surface-film, just as a fly 

 walks on the ceiling. Of course he is then 

 right in the water, but his velvet coat keeps 

 him dry ; and he carries an air-bubble at the 

 end of his tail, so that he may breathe com- 

 fortably while he is below the surface. 



These peaceful little insects have some near 

 relations which lead a far more exciting life. 

 They are great travellers, and are often seen 

 right out in mid-ocean calmly running about 

 on the top of the sea. 



There are some other little insects, called 

 " Spring-tails," that live on the top of the 

 water, too. If these tiny things went about 

 singly you would probably not notice them 

 at all, as they are only one-twelfth of an inch 

 long ; but they are friendly little creatures, 

 fond of company, and in the summer months 

 they go about in large parties on ponds and 

 ditches, all skipping and springing about like 

 a lot of little sand-hoppers. They are black, 

 except just after they have moulted, which 



