66 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



to eat. There are others, however, that choose 

 to make their homes in clear, running water ; 

 and on the borders of a merry bubbling brook, 

 where blue forget-me-not and cool green 

 water-cress are growing we may often see the 

 slow-winged Stone-flies. 



They are heavy insects, with four brown 

 gauzy wings and two curious little tails behind. 

 They fly low over the ground, whizzing along 

 almost in a straight line, and it is quite easy 

 to catch them. 



The larvae of the Stone-flies are often 

 called " Creepers ; " they live in the brook, 

 and if you lift a fair- sized stone from the 

 water most likely two or three little creatures, 

 like small, dusky shrimps, will scuttle from 

 beneath it, and try to hide themselves under 

 another stone as quickly as they can. 



The Creeper does not change to a resting pupa, 

 but when it is ready for its transformation 

 leaves the water and fixes itself by its hooked 

 feet to a stone. Its old skin begins to swell, 

 then suddenly it splits down the back and out 

 comes the fly. Sometimes in early summer you 

 may see what seems to be a number of Stone- 

 fly Creepers resting on the stones that border 

 the brook ; but when you touch them you will 



