258 WONDERS OF INSECT LIFE 



front door, so to speak, and retire from business. 

 The entrance to the portal having been securely 

 fastened up, the creature feeds no more, but 

 undergoes a remarkable change. In course of 

 time, the fat, yellowish larva changes its appear- 

 ance, until eventually it is almost unrecognisable. 

 If a case be broken open the soft body of the 

 miniature insect may be observed, and the wings 

 can be plainly seen. There is no hurry. Every- 

 thing in the life-cycle of the Caddis Fly proceeds 

 systematically and in order. At last the time 

 arrives when the secret shall be revealed, when the 

 inner working of the little slumberer within can 

 be seen to perfection. The case is split asunder,, 

 the adult Caddis Fly creeps forth, leaves its. 

 watery home, and climbs up an obliging reed-stem 

 or other aquatic plant. There it rests. Its wings 

 are spread out in a similar manner to those of the 

 Dragon Fly to dry and harden, and by and by 

 the insect essays forth upon its initial journey in 

 the air, and pursues its pilgrimage on and around 

 the water where its lifetime began and will as 

 surely end. Unlike the Dragon Fly, the Caddis 

 Fly does not leave its old home, but spends its- 

 remaining days as a perfect insect in its immediate 

 vicinity. 



This brings us to another vastly interesting 

 insect inhabitant of the pool we are exploring.. 

 The Great Brown Water Beetle is one of the 



