ORGANS FOR BREATHING IN WATER-GRUBS. 157 



like the grub of the gnat, we know not, hut they 

 perfectly repel water ; and at the point where the 

 insect hangs suspended, a small dimple may be ob- 

 served on the surface. When it wishes to dive to the 

 bottom, it has the power of bringing the ends of the 

 hairs together, without diminishing the capacity of the 

 funnel below ; and a globule of air, for the purpose of 

 breathing under water, is thus enclosed and carried 

 down, appearing, as Swammerdam says, like a bril- 

 liant pearl or polished silver. c As for my part,' he 

 adds, < I dare boldly affirm, that, the incomprehensible 

 greatness of the Deity manifests itself in these mys- 

 terious operations in a particular manner, and affords 

 us an opportunity of examining, as it were, with our 

 senses, the divine nature.'* 



Buoy like structure in the tail of a water-grub of a two-winged fiy. 



' 



VOL. VI. 



Swammerdam, part ii, 51. 

 14 



