4 HISTORY OF 



appear in bunches on the back, within which the 

 wings are folded up into each other, while all the 

 colours and varieties of painting appear transpa- 

 rent through the skin. These animals, upon quit- 

 ting the egg, still continue in the water, where 

 they creep and swim, but do not move swiftly. 

 They have likewise a sharp sight, and immediate- 

 ly sink to the bottom if any one comes to the 

 places wherein they live, or whenever they per- 

 ceive the least uncommon object. Their food at 

 that time is soft mud, and the glutinous earthy 

 substances that are found at the bottom. 



When these animals prepare to change from 

 their reptile to their flying state, they then move 

 out of the water to a dry place, as into grass, to 

 pieces of wood, stone, or any thing else they meet 

 with. They there firmly fix their acute claws, 

 and for a short time continue quite immoveable, 

 as if meditating on the change they are to under- 

 go. It is then observed, that the skin first opens 

 on the head and back ; and out of this opening 

 they exhibit their real head and eyes, and at 

 length their six legs ; whilst, in the mean time, 

 the hollow and empty skin, or slough, of their 

 legs, remains firmly fixed in its place. After 

 this, the enclosed creature creeps forward by de- 

 grees ; and by this means draws first its wings, 

 and then its body out of the skin ; and proceed- 

 ing a little farther, sits at rest for some time, as 

 if immoveable. During this time, the wings, 

 which were moist and folded, begin by degrees 

 to expand themselves, and to make smooth and 

 even all those plaits which were laid against each 



