NATURAL HISTORY. 165 



ing will be plain enough. In one picture the 

 mask is shut ; and in the other, one of the jaws, 

 like a blinder to a bridle, is open. While the 



Mask of the Dragon-fly, shut and open. 



insect is at rest, it keeps the mask over its 

 face ; when it wishes to use it, it unfolds it, 

 and catches its food, and holds it to its mouth. 

 A' gentleman once saw one of them holding 

 and eating a large tadpole." 



" Uncle Philip, this mask is any thing but 

 handsome." 



" Very true ; but you know we agreed when 

 we were talking about the bats to look at ani- 

 mals even if they were not handsome. And 

 there is your poor little ugly insect that you 

 thought it right to kill, the spider ; did you 

 know that the spider was a sailor, too ?" 



" No, indeed, Uncle Philip ! Pray tell us 

 of it, will you ?" 



" Yes ; but wait a little, until we bring the 

 boat's head right, for we are near the landing- 

 place. So now, boys, I am ready. There 

 is a very large spider, about which not much 



