BRITISH INSECTS 



by the female's ovipositor. The larva is very similar 

 to the adult, excepting for the absence of wings, but 

 in the pupal state rudimentary wings are present. 

 The Water Scorpion {Nepa cinerea, Figs. 9 and go), 





riq 9CU Larva oF 



is first-cousin of the last-mentioned species, and it has 

 acquired its popular (or unpopular !) name because the 

 front pair of legs bear a resemblance to the forceps of 

 the true Scorpion. This famihar aquatic insect is dull 

 brown in colour, marked with some red. It has a broad, 

 flat, bug-like body, which measures about an inch in 

 length, and about half as much across. It inhabits 

 both clear-running streams as well as ponds, and per- 

 haps the most conspicuous feature is the apparatus by 

 which the creature takes in free air. This double tube 

 is attached to the abdomen, and when this water-dweller 

 requires a fresh supply of air, it rises to the surface and 

 protrudes its " tail." This accomplished, it dives below 

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