JULY. 215 



the head into two parts, at the same time throwing off a 

 thin membrane which covered the body. At first the 

 wings are scarcely visible ; the insect, however, runs about 

 very quickly, and by degrees the wings assume their full 

 size. The leaping powers of the larvae are very wonderful, 

 the leap being performed in the same manner as that of a 

 salmon, by taking hold of the tail with its mouth, con- 

 tracting the rings of the body, and then letting go the tail. 

 If a viper had equal powers in proportion to its size, it 

 would spring nearly a hundred feet. 



