244 Mosquito Dragon Fly. 



51. Mosquitoes are produced from eggs which float on 

 the water. When these are hatched they are little worms 

 and seem to hang from the surface of the water head 

 downward, when they are called '" Wigglers." They change 

 their skins several times, then become a kind of Chrysalis 

 in a little case or cocoon, which, like the Caterpillar, they 

 soon burst, and, drying their newly found wings, they fly 

 away into the air in search of food. 



52. They find their food in the dew and in the juices 

 of flowers and plants. Some kinds are active by day, 

 others by night. Those which attack man and beast for 

 blood are the females only. The " Wigglers " feed raven- 

 ously on the animalcules in ponds and marshes, and thus 

 aid in purifying the water. 



53. The eggs become perfect Insects in three weeks, 

 and many broods are hatched every warm season. 



54. Mosquitoes infest forests and marshy places in 

 every country and in every climate ; in cold Siberia and 

 Lapland, as well as in the hot valley of the Amazon. 



55. The GNAT, HOUSE FLY, and Ox FLY belong to the 

 same order of Insects as the Mosquito. 



56. The DRAGON FLY has a long, slender 

 body and four long, narrow wings. 



57. Its thin, crisp wings are as clear as glass, 

 reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, and 

 seem to be in rapid and almost constant mo- 

 tion. While flying, it catches multitudes of 

 Mosquitoes, Gnats, Beetles, Flies, and other 

 Insects. 



