208 MINUTE MARVELS OF NATURE 



the wing in vast numbers towards sunset in 

 spring. 



These insects, as well as dragon-flies, alder- 

 flies, and caddis-flies, are invariably associated 

 with aquatic surroundings. But why ? Because, 

 while we gazed into the pond at those strange 

 grub-like creatures, ive were only taking a pre- 

 liminary peep at these flies in their early or 

 larval stagt >.?, just as, when we examine a cater- 

 pillar we read only the first or, to be correct, the 

 second chapter in the history of a gorgeously 

 coloured butterfly or moth. 



Generally speaking these aquatic insects spend 

 by far the greater part of their lives beneath the 

 water, after which their existence in the winged 

 or perfect state lasts for a very short while, usually 

 just long enough for an abrupt mating and laying 

 of eggs. This of course will bring again to mind 

 the fairy May-fly, so frequently referred to as the 

 type of brief and ineffectual life. But in these 

 references to the brevity of the life of this insect 

 it is the moraliser's misfortune that he has some- 

 how forgotten the two or three years of life- 

 history through which it at last reaches the 

 winged state. 



Indeed the life of the May-fly is by no means 

 short, considered from an insect point of view, 

 although it is true that in the winged state its 



