THE GNAT. 265 



another of the many instances in which nature has 

 anticipated art. A single plate of iron will sink, but 

 a number of plates, if arranged in a definite form, so 

 as to cause the weight of their united bulk to be less 

 than that of a corresponding bulk of water, will float. 

 The iron ships, and iron caissons, and iron docks 

 of the present day, are familiar examples of this 

 fact. 



Now, the eggs of the Gnat are arranged on exactly 

 the same principle. They are placed side by side, and 

 glued to each other with a fluid secreted by the mother 

 insect, and which is not soluble in water. Taught by 

 instinct, the Gnat, without even seeing the eggs, builds 

 them up into a boat-like form, and then leaves the 

 little vessel to float on the water. And, as every 

 practical entomologist knows, the egg-boat is built on 

 exactly the same principle as the best life-boats of the 

 present day, righting itself if it be upset by force. 

 Any number of these boats may be obtained from the 

 surface of a pond, or even a water-butt; and they 

 make very interesting objects for the magnifying 

 glass. 



After a short space of time varying according to 

 the warmth of the weather the larvae are hatched, 

 and are liberated from the egg by means of a little 

 lid which opens at the end, and allows them to drop 

 into the water. In this form they are probably familiar 

 to all who have used their eyes. Tkere must be few 

 people, indeed, who have not seen in rain-water these 

 curious little larvae, looking, with their large heads 

 and slender bodies, something like the conventional 

 dolphins of ancient art. They swim by a series of 



