103 OUT OF DOORS. 



or grubs of the dragon-fly, which has already been 

 mentioned, and may observe the funny way in which 

 he propels himself forward by squirting water back- 

 ward, having within him a ' direct action ' propeller. 

 Then his ' mask ' is worthy of an examination. See 

 how cleverly it is jointed to fit over his face, and how 

 the formidable jaws at its extremity lie close to the 

 head, so as to excite no alarm. Then see him dart out 

 this mask to its full extent, snap up a passing insect 

 in his jaws, and carry it to his mouth as an elephant 

 picks up an apple and puts it into its mouth. If you 

 like, you may take him home and keep him in a vessel 

 of water, only he wants so much food that he is almost 

 more trouble than he is worth — unless you have some 

 special reason for watching his habits. He will eat 

 little fish largely ; and if you stock your water-vessel 

 with young fry, this voracious creature will soon finish 

 them. 



Here comes from the bed of the brooklet the 

 acknowledged tyrant of the waters, the great Water 

 Beetle. He is so big that no insect can overcome him 

 — so securely mailed that no insect, except his own 

 kind, can hurt him — so swift that no aquatic insect 

 can escape him ; and so voracious that no amount of 

 food seems to satisfy him. Even the dragon-fly grub 

 had better keep out of his way ; for he would soon be 

 treated with poetical justice, and suffer the same fate 

 he had so often inflicted upon others. Catch him, 

 and hold him safely — taking care of your hands, for he 



