36 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



powerful, or rests clinging tightly to the water 

 plants. 



In fact, the Great Water-beetle is just a 

 placid, mild-tempered giant. He does not 



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THE GREAT WATER-BEETLE. 



want to fight, or hunt the smaller dwellers of 

 the pool, but is content with a vegetable diet 

 of leaves and grasses only occasionally 

 snatching a passing insect by way of a change. 

 He behaves quite differently from the Brown 

 Water-beetle when he comes to the surface for 

 a fresh supply of air. The Great Water- 



