LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 107 



remember, Aunt Mary, you told us insects al- 

 ways have six legs. 



Aunt M. So I did ; and I am pleased to find 

 you remember it. I told you, too, that most in- 

 sects begin their existence in the state of a worm, 

 but you see the locust is different in this respect, 

 being of the same form when it is hatched from 

 the egg, that it is when it comes out of the 

 ground, seventeen years after, in its nympha 

 state, though the perfect insect is then formed 

 under the skin which covers it, which it bursts 

 open and casts off, as I have described to you. 



Now you may all look at the little locust, and 

 we will then put away the microscope, for it is 

 getting late. 



Mary. I wish I could see a horse through a 

 microscope ; it would look as big as a house. 



Rene&. What a queer idea ! Do you sup- 

 pose you could see a horse through such a little 

 glass as that ? 



Jiunt M. We can see horses well enough 

 without looking at them through microscopes ; 

 but we will put it away now. 



I have much to tell you, that is interesting, of 

 the African Locust, but we will leave it until 

 another evening. 



