58 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



its face and its legs, and smooths itself care- 

 fully all over, and before many minutes have 

 passed it is ready to fly. Then with a flit of 

 its wings and an excited " ping ! " it darts 



HEAD OF FEMALE GNAT, SHOWING SIMPLE ANTENNA 

 AND PIERCING LANCETS. 



aloft to join its brothers and sisters in their 

 merry dance. 



The Gnats as they leave the water are 

 not all alike. Some have beautiful, feathery 

 antennae, others only simple threads. It is 

 the male Gnats who wear the plumes ; they are 

 quite harmless insects, as their mouths are not 



