THE WATER SCORPION 



again to renew its operations. When secreted upon 

 the bed of its environment, or among aquatic plants, it 

 is difficult to detect, and as it is not of very active habits, 

 it secures protection in this way. As a matter of fact, 

 it is not a tempting morsel for other creatures to prey 

 upon, and seems mostly immune from attack. But its 

 protective resemblance does enable the Water Scorpion 

 to lie in wait for its own prey, and this, together with 

 the power of the front pair of legs, serve it to great 

 advantage. Having secured its victim, the short sharp 

 beak soon gets to work on the former's body. The 

 clawed forelegs are beautifully fashioned, so as to be 

 closed like a pocket-knife when not in use. When the 

 membranous under- wings are fully extended, the insect 

 is more presentable, and is likely to make a stronger 

 appeal, as there is not only a bright red streak across 

 part of the wings, but the upper surface of the abdomen 

 is also edged with the same colour. It hibernates in 

 Winter, and can, if needs be, remain under water for a 

 great length of time without approaching the surface. 

 The oval-shaped eggs are deposited in a string, and the 

 larva closely resembles the mature insect. The longer 

 and more slender breathing tube of the adult is replaced 

 with a much shorter and thicker apparatus in the im- 

 mature form. 



We now come to smaller fry included in the Sub- 

 Order Homoptera, members of which possess wings 

 having the same texture throughout, and these (where 

 they do occur) are held roof-hke when the insect is at 



33 



