80 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



lily to any other plant, both for food and for 

 making its little floating house. 



When ready to change to a pupa the cater- 

 pillar climbs up the stem of a tall plant, and 

 makes a little cocoon above the surface of the 

 water, and in due time the little Moth comes 

 forth and flutters away. 



It is strange how much these little water 

 folk differ one from another in their habits 

 and customs. There are hardly two that are 

 exactly alike in every way. The Caterpillar 

 floats in its airy, water-tight house ; the funny 

 old Caddis totters along, dragging its heavy 

 case ; the great Water-beetles swim and dive 

 in the water ; many insects creep and crawl 

 about the weed below ; while the Water 

 Spring-tail hops and skips, and the Pond- 

 skaters skate upon the surface of the pond. 



Some insects draw their supply of oxygen 

 directly from the water, others must come to 

 the surface to breathe. Some carry bubbles 

 of air on the end of their tails. Some carry a 

 private store spread over their chests, or in 

 water-tight tanks on their back, and so on. 

 Some put their heads out of the water to 

 breathe, others their tails, and others lie on 

 their backs on the surface. 



