PRACTICAL CARP CULTURE. 57 



As the grub gets larger, it turns darker in color, until having attained 

 a size of about four inches in length, it has become nearly bJack on the 

 back ; the under part is then of a creamy white, and the sides have been 

 fringed with hair. In this state its appearance is extremely repulsive* 

 being about as ugly as anything can be imagined. The earliest and best 

 time to destroy them is when the cocoon has been finished, and the 

 female is standing guard in the water beneath, both can then be captured 

 and obliterated, in this way great damage is prevented before there has 

 been an opportunity for development; very much on the principle of the 

 old proverb: "A stitch in time saves nine." 



The grubs breathe through the posterior part of the body, and have 

 to come to the surface occasionally for that purpose, at which time they 

 are easily caught with a dip-net. 



In general appearance, the color excepted, the grub of the black 

 water-beetle resembles that of the preceding. 



The beetle, moreover, is very prolific, spinning several cocoons at two 

 different periods, namely, in the spring and high summer. 



Other varieties of this insect exist, the one under discussion being 

 the most dangerous to the fish. So far as the others are concerned, it is 

 sufficient to remember the injunction, allow nothing alive to remain in 

 the company of the fish when newly hatched. 



THE DRAGON FLIES. 



The dragon flies (commonly known as snake-feeders) may be divided 

 into three classes, all very destructive enemies of the fish. 



THE DRAGON FLY. 



1. The Libellula possesses a short, flat body, about two inches in 

 length. (See illustration.) 



2. The Aeshma is longer than the above, its slender, round body 

 sometimes measuring six inches in length. 



3. The Agrion is not large, the body small and slender, varying in 

 length from !> to 2^ 2 inches. 



d 



