10 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



if a fish suddenly took to itself wings and flew 

 away as a bird), but then we must remember 

 that insects are very peculiar creatures, which, 

 as a general rule, entirely alter their way of 



life after they 

 have gone 

 through their 

 wonderful 

 transforma- 

 tions and be- 

 come perfect 

 insects. We 

 know that 

 many insects 

 spend the first 

 part of their ex- 

 istence buried 

 in the ground, 

 or inside 

 plants, trees, or 

 rotten wood, 



so after all it is not so very astonishing that 

 others should live for a while in the water. 



There is hardly any kind of water in which 

 some insects may not be found. Fresh water, 

 salt water, pure water, stagnant water, hot 

 springs, and icy water, all have their insect 



SMALL WATER-BEETLES. 



