106 PUP.E OF CRANE-FLIES. 



earthy roots or rooty earth, in the midst of which it however 

 quietly remains ; while nnder the encasing form of pupa* the 

 long legs, with all accompanying members of the " coming " 

 fly, are brought by degrees to their full measure and perfec- 

 tion. Before, however, this important epoch quite arrives, 

 our Father Longlegs, now a long fellow in a sack, seeming 

 through a load of superincumbent earth to smell the air, con- 

 trives, cleverly, to work himself upwards, not merely to the 

 surface of the ground, but to an inch or two above it of up- 

 right elevation. Thus supported by surrounding blades and 

 stalks of grass comes forth, at length, in all his disproportion- 

 ed, yet appropriate lengthiness of limb, the Tipula, alias 

 Crane-fly, alias Tailor, alias Jenny Spinner, alias Father Longlegs, 

 whose long history we thus end just where we began it. 



Pupa-cases, such as above described, either occupied or 

 vacant, may sometimes be seen in scores amongst the herbage 

 where crane-flies are abundant. The practice of these, in 

 wriggling themselves towards or above the surface, whether 

 of ground or tree, wherein they have been imbedded, is one 

 frequently exemplified in the pupae, or chrysalides, of various 

 insects, whose delicate wings would otherwise be injured in 

 the bursting from their temporary tombs. One amongst 

 thousands, this, of those nice provisions of Providential care, 

 such as cannot but excite our love and admiration. 



Besides' the common Tipula,\ there are others of nearly 



* Pupa of Tipula. t Tipula oUracia. 



