416 tNSECTS. 



or deep brown, and the tail is furnished with two long bristles. 

 This insect, which is common in many parts of Europe, is com- 

 memorated as a most remarkable ins'ance of the brevity of animal 

 life ; since after its change into the perfect animal it survives but a 

 ery few hours, perishing in the course of the same evening that 

 gave it birth. It is to be recollected, however, that its larva lives 

 in its aquatic state two, and even sometimes nearly three years ; 

 and Is in this state so tenacious of life that Swammerdam assures us, 

 that one which he pierced with a pin, to a board, in order to pre- 

 serve it. lived all the next day notwithstanding. According to the 

 figure given by Swammerdam, it is extremely allied to the larva of 

 the ephemera vulgata; residing chiefly in tubular cavities, which it 

 forms in the mud or clay of the waters it inhabits, occasionally 

 coming out in quest of food. In this respect it agrees with the 

 larvse of several others of this genus, which have a similar habit of 

 forming tubular hollows in the banks of their native waters. 

 When arrived at full growth, the larva, or, more properly, pupa, 

 rises, like that of the common ephemera, to the surface of the 

 water, generally between the hours of six and seven in the even- 

 ing ; and the skin of the back cracking, and springing off with an 

 elastic motion, the fly is almost instantaneously evolved, as in the 

 common species ; after which it flies to the nearest convenient 

 spot, and again divesting itself of its pellicle, appears in its per- 

 fect or ultimate state. It now flies again to the water, and flutter- 

 ing over its surface, as if sporting with its innumerable compa- 

 nions, enjoys all the pleasures of its short remainder of existence : 

 the female breeds, deposits her eggs, and, like the male, perishes 

 before, or with the dawn of the approaching day. 



This species, according to Swammerdam, is extremely frequent 

 in the mouths or entrances of the Rhine, the Maes, the Wael, 

 the Leek, and the Isel. It appears in the fly or perfect state 

 about midsummer, and the season of its appearance lasts only 

 .three days, none being seen again till the following year. 



[Szcammerdam. Shaza* 



