THE WATER BOATMAN 



itself by its long, hairy hind legs. Its resemblance to 

 a miniature boat is very remarkable. It is at once 

 sluggish and active, that is, it exerts itself strenuously 

 when it wishes to move, or change its position, but 

 soon afterwards takes up a " mark-time " attitude as 

 if its efforts were too much for it, and it required a rest 

 from its labours. It is a capital tenant for an aquarium, 

 and like its relative next claiming attention, rarely fails 

 to excite interest, especially among those (and they 

 are legion) who have little, or no, knowledge of the 



fig 8 



WcLte-r- Boatrncirv. 



wonderful variety of life in the nearest pond or stream. 

 The Water Boatman is a rapid flier, and whilst the 

 outer pair of wings resemble those of the Coleoptera 

 (or Beetles), serving for protection rather than loco- 

 motion, the delicate inner wings are objects of great 

 beauty. It has a powerful beak capable of inflicting 

 a nasty puncture. Small wonder, therefore, that it 

 often preys upon larger creatures than itself, and having 

 once secured a meal, shows considerable reluctance to 

 " let go." The eggs are laid singly on various kinds of 

 water-plants, each egg being deposited in a hole made 



31 



