APRIL. 79 



F. — It belongs to a tribe which I call Water-flies, as I 

 have never seen any of the species except in the immediate 

 vicinity of water. The species are numerous in this conti- 

 nent, forming the genus Semblis of Fabricius. This is an 

 early kind, the clouded Water-fly (Perla Clio). 



C. — What is this curious insect at the bottom of this 

 little pond ? It is an awkward, sprawling creature, some- 

 thing like a spider, of a light brown colour. 



F. — It is the larva of a Dragon-fly, and an animal which, 

 from its curious habits and conformation, may afford you 

 some instruction and amusement. Take him up, and put 

 him into your pocket box, with a little wet moss, that we 

 may examine him at home ; — you need not be afraid, it is 

 perfectly harmless. 



C. — Here is another long, semi-transparent worm, with- 

 out feet, with a head retractile into the body. Of what is 

 this the larva ? 



F. — ■ Of some dipterous fly, probably one of the larger 

 TipulcB. I see some small larvae of gnats and flies ; catch 

 them as food for your Libellula grub. ■ We have to- 

 day seen many tokens of approaching spring : Nature is 

 bursting from the icy chains with which she has been bound 

 for so many months, soon again to teem with life and glad- 

 ness. Yet many wintry storms, many bleak days and cold 

 nights must pass, before we can say, spring has actually 

 come. 



C. — Now we are at home, what shall I do with my 

 Dragon-fly grub ? 



F. — Put him into this basin of water. I would first 

 have you notice his very singular mode of progression. 



C — He goes with a graceful sort of gliding or rather 

 shooting motion, in a straight line, stretching out his legs 



