254 WONDERS OF INSECT LIFE 



striking out powerfully and pursuing and captur- 

 ing smaller insect denizens of the air. 



Some Dragon Flies crawl down aquatic plants 

 into the water, and lay their eggs on the bed of 

 the pool. These most interesting insects do not 

 undergo a complete " metamorphosis," for both 

 the larval and nymphal stages are passed under 

 water. When the egg hatches the larva will be 

 found to be possessed of more prominent feelers 

 than the adult insect, the legs are more adapted 

 for walking, the hind portion of the body is 

 broader and shorter, and, more remarkable still, 

 the larva has a sort of insect-catching trap, which 

 should be seen in operation to be rightly appre- 

 ciated. This wonderful contrivance, by the aid 

 of which the Dragon Fly larva secures its prey, 

 can be snugly tucked away beneath the head when 

 not in use, and the creature is considerably aided 

 in its pursuit and capture of small water-animals 

 by the possession of a pair of strong, curved 

 hooks with teeth. The trap — called the " mask " 

 — is suddenly shot out with great precision when 

 some aquatic creature is being pursued, and the 

 curved hooks secure the unwary victim. The 

 larva is a voracious feeder and grows apace. 

 Eventually the time comes when the water-home 

 is vacated, and in the Summer-time the young 

 insect hunter should carefully search the herbage 

 round a pond or river for the pupa. He will have 



