THE HYDROPHELUS. 



119 



conspicuous and notable of all its appurtenances are those 

 which arm the head, the large strong jaws curved and pointed, 

 opening arid shutting like a pair of forceps, with an apparatus 

 of other instruments, smaller and finer, to assist in piercing, 

 tearing, masticating, and sucking the juices of its victims, 

 which comprise, as the infant destroyer advances to maturity, 

 almost every aquatic insect within reach ; and in failure of 

 these, the brethren of one common nest will turn their fangs 

 upon each other. On a fine sunny day, these insect sharks arise 

 to the surface of the water where they delight to bask. If 

 watched, they remain motionless, with their jaws extended, 

 and if a stick be presented to them, they will seize it, and will 

 sometimes, it is said, permit themselves to be cut to pieces 

 rather than relinquish their hold. After the completion of its 

 life as a larva, the Hydrophilus immures itself in a cell of its 

 own formation, near the water's edge, and, after passing through 

 the next stage of pupa or chrysalis, emerges a perfect Beetle. 



lu faraS xrff witfj infi-nite 



