28 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



by his hard, armoured coat that he is not 

 afraid of anyone who lives in the pool, however 

 big they may be. 



This fierce beetle is really a most accom- 

 plished person ; he can walk, climb, swim and 

 fly with the greatest ease. His legs are really 

 remarkable, each pair 

 being entirely different 

 from the others. On 

 his front pair of legs the 

 beetle has curious frills 

 covered with tiny 

 suckers, these are used 

 for clasping and hold- 

 ing fast many a slippery 

 victim. The second 

 pair are long and end 

 in strong hooked claws ; 

 with these Mr Beetle 

 walks about, or climbs 



up the plants growing in the pool. The third 

 pair are broad and flat, and fringed all round 

 with stout hairs, and these serve the beetle as 

 oars with which to row himself swiftly about 

 in the water. Mrs Brown has no frills on her 

 wrists, and her wing-cases are furrowed instead 

 of being smooth and polished, so you might 



FRONT LEG OF BROWN 

 WA'IER-BEETLE. 



