48 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



gradually changing under its ugly husk and 

 getting ready for its wonderful transformation. 

 Several times it casts its skin, and after each 

 moult the larva is slightly altered in appear- 

 ance. In time, marks like tiny wing cases 

 appear upon its back, showing that under 

 its dull skin the glorious wings are forming, 

 and when these wing marks are seen the 

 larva is called a " nymph," though this seems 

 a strange name to give to such an ugly 

 creature. But although it may alter in 

 appearance it does not alter in ways. It 

 keeps its horrid mask and is still the dragon 

 of the pool, catching and devouring all who 

 come within reach of its terrible pincers. 



At last the time draws near when the dragon 

 must leave his' watery home. He grows 

 restless, and climbs up the water weeds to 

 have a look round at the world above the pool. 

 Two or three times he may do this, as if he 

 could not quite make up his mind to leave 

 his old home, but at length he takes courage 

 and crawls right out of the water. 



Clinging tightly with his legs to the stem 

 of some plant growing near the water's edge, 

 the ugly Dragon rests for a while perfectly 

 still. Then his great dull eyes begin to glow 



