MUSQUETO. CO 



of the lobster, that is, by Fi - 45 - Fi S- 46 - 



alternately contracting and 



expanding the body, and 



striking the fluid with its 



fins and tail, as shown by 



Fig. 46. 



161. In this stage of its progress, it takes no food, having 

 neither mouth nor organs of digestion ; but a plentiful 

 supply of air seems to be indispensable, and hence it 

 floats on the surface of the water, and only descends 

 when disturbed. In every stagnant pool, thousands of 

 them may be seen, at the proper season, in this state of 

 repose. Their respiratory organs are two ear-like pro- 

 cesses shown by the adjoining figures, and these are kept 

 above the surface of the water until another change is 

 about to ensue. 



162. Musqueto leaving the water. When the musqueto 

 is about to emerge, and to take the station and form of a 

 perfect being, it stretches out its body at full length on 

 the surface of the water, and then by some secret 

 mechanism puffs up its skin so as to split it open at the 

 head. As soon ,as this fissure is sufficiently large for the 

 purpose, the insect in perfect form, appears. And now 

 the condition of the little adventurer is critical, and per- 

 ilous in the extreme, for, from being an aquatic, it is sud- 

 denly transformed into an air-breather ; and after having 

 spent all his past life as a sailor, he is in a twinkling 

 turned landsman, perhaps far from the shore, and hav- 

 ing no other boat but his own skin, with neither oar nor 

 sail, for he has no use of either leg or wing. If, at this 

 juncture, a little breeze comes on, it proves a most 

 dreadful hurricane to the poor animal, for if a drop of 

 water gets into the case, which has Fi S- 47 - 



now become a canoe, .it inevitably 

 sinks and carries the insect down 

 with it. This hazardous situation is 

 shown by Fig. 47, which exhibits a 

 magnified picture of the Musqueto 

 just taking its departure into its new| 

 element. Reaumur, who saw every 

 thing which nature exhibits with respect to this insect 



