438 THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



pools of stagnant water, in watering-troughs, and in ex- 

 posed receptacles of rain-water. 



The long, slender eggs are laid side by side in a boat- 

 shaped mass, on the surface of the water (Fig. 513). They 



FIG. 513. A glass of water containing eggs, larvae, and pupae of mosquitoes. 



hatch in a few days, and the larvae escape from the lower 

 ends into the water. The larvae are well known, and are 

 commonly called " wigglers," a name suggested by their 

 wriggling motion as they swim through the water. The 

 larva (Fig. 514, a) has a large head and 

 thorax and a slender abdomen. The 

 next to the last abdominal segment 

 bears a breathing-tube ; and when the 

 larva is at rest it hangs head down- 

 ward in the water, with the opening of 

 this tube at the surface (Fig. 513). At 

 the end of this tube there is a rosette 

 of plate-like lobes (Fig. 515, a), which, 

 floating on the surface of the water, keeps the larva in posi- 

 tion when at rest. The larva grows rapidly, and after a few 



