250 INSECT WATER TRASPASSEES. 



In order to obtain a supply of air, the insect rises 

 to the surface of the water, protrudes the end of its 

 tail, and takes in the required supply. By degrees 

 the air-bubble which then appears under the elytra is 

 pushed gradually forward, and,, when it has done its 

 duty, escapes in a series of very tiny bubbles at the 

 spot where the bases of the elytra are pressed against 

 the breast. 



THE WATER SCORPION (Nepa cinerea). 



In the lower corner of the same illustration may 

 be seen the very remarkable insect called the Water 

 Scorpion. This name is given to it in consequence of 

 the peculiar outline of the creature, which certainly 

 does bear some resemblance to that of the scorpion. 

 I well recollect how startled I was, when, as a boy, I 

 first found this insect. I was watching the inhabitants 

 of a certain fish-pond at Radley, when I saw an object 

 that I had taken for a piece of dead leaf begin to move 

 about. In those days there were no books to give 

 information on such subjects, and the scorpion-like 

 claws and the sting- like projections of the tail, rather 

 deterred me from touching it. However, it was so 

 curious an insect, that I got it out of the water with a 

 stick, and very soon found that it could do no harm 

 whatever. 



It does not possess the activity of the predacious 

 insects which have already been mentioned, and trusts 

 to craft rather than speed for procuring its food. I 

 have no doubt that the insects on which the Water 

 Scorpion feeds are deceived, just as I was, by its 



