THE WATER BOATMAN. 



215 



which, very much resembled that which generally fol- 

 lows the sting of a wasp after the first pang has gone off. 



Now for a few words as to the special aquatic 

 capacities of the creature. 



In the first place, it has the curious habit of 

 swimming on its back. If it be taken out of the water 



CUT. XI. WATER BOATMAN, WATER SCOBPION, SWIMMIN& ICHNEUMON 

 LAEVA OP GNAT, AND WHIELWIG 



and examined, it will be found that the wing-cases are 

 so formed, that, when closed, they present a most 

 curious resemblance to the keel of a boat. This is not 

 the case with all Water Boatmen, for in some, such as 

 the Corixa, which has just been mentioned, the back is 

 flat. But even in these cases the boat-like form is 



