INSECTS I HAVE WATCHED 



117 



is also thoroughly acclimatised in water, and can also crawl 

 overland. Thus it is free of all three elements. 



Every now and again, if watch be kept on the surface of pond 

 or aquarium, Dytiscus will be seen to rise for the purpose of taking 

 in a fresh supply of oxygen, and at feeding time the introduction 

 of an earthworm will provide ocular demonstration of the strong 

 jaws which this crocodile of insect life possesses. 



In the same pond as the Great Water Beetle, there are smaller 

 inhabitants closely allied. The Whirligig Beetles provide a 

 fund of amusement as they career round and round on the surface 



FIG. 53. GREAT WATER BEETLE. FIG. 54. WATER SCORPION. 



t 



in never-ending circles, and, if the sun is shining, their bodies 

 are lit up with a bright, steel-coloured coat of mail. The long- 

 legged Water Measurers are also surface dwellers in the adult 

 state, but I next want to introduce you to the Water Scorpion. 

 It is first cousin of the always-engaging Water Boatman, and is 

 a Water Bug of carnivorous tastes. Its breathing apparatus 

 is situate at the extremity of the tapered body, and, when a 

 new supply of air is required, the insect comes to the surface, 

 protrudes its " tail," and then dives into the mazy depths 

 beneath. As a rule, it remains hidden among the mud at the 

 bottom of stagnant water, but, in spite of its ferocious appearance, 

 the Water Scorpion does not tear its prey to pieces as one might 

 suppose, but is only able to suck the juices from its body. 



Many of these aquatic insects, including the Water Boatman, 



