82 INSECT LIFE IN POND AND STREAM 



Before we leave the pond we must not 

 forget to notice the Water-spider. It is not 

 a true insect, as you can tell at once if you 

 count its legs for a spider has eight instead 

 of six. It differs from the insect folk in 

 several other ways besides, but you will learn 

 all about this in the " Spider Book." 



But the Water-spider is such an interesting 

 little creature, we cannot pass her by. 



She is not very much to look at as she runs 

 briskly about over the broad, flat leaves which 

 lie on the surface of the pond just an ordinary 

 little brownish spider, about half an inch long, 

 with black, hairy legs. But wait until she 

 dives beneath the water. Gone is the dull 

 little spider ; in her place we see a beautiful 

 creature clad in a dazzling silver robe ! The 

 magic touch of the water has changed the 

 dowdy spider as the fairy Godmother's wand 

 changed Cinderella before she went to the 

 ball! 



This magic change is caused by quantities 

 of tiny air bubbles imprisoned in the soft, 

 fine hairs with which the spider is clothed. 

 So as she journeys through the water she is 

 surrounded with a film of air. 



What does the Spider do beneath the 



