26 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



or opens its wing-cases and spreads its wings 

 to fly away. At the end of its body are two 

 long, hollowed spines, that fit together to make 

 a breathing tube which looks like a funny long 



THIN WATER-SCORPIONS. 



tail ; and when the insect needs a fresh supply 

 of air it creeps slowly backwards up the stem 

 of a water-weed and pushes the tip of this 

 queer tail above the surface of the water. 



Another Water- scorpion is often to be seen 

 creeping over the weeds or skimming along on 

 the top of the water. It does not look in the 

 least like its cousin who lives at the bottom 

 of the pool, for it is as long and thin as a 

 Pond-skater. But both the Broad Scorpion 



