26o WONDERS OF INSECT LIFE 



and is armed with very powerful and large jaws. 

 These latter are long and incurved. A careful 

 search around any stagnant pool should success- 

 fully reveal the larva of this Beetle suspended in 

 the water, with the tail just protruding above 

 the surface. It will be observed that the creature 

 hangs head downwards. Why is this ? the reader 

 may well ask. Because it breathes through its 

 tail! In this position then it rests, waiting a 

 favourable opportunity to dash down upon its 

 prey. Suddenly, and without any warning, the 

 larva distends its monstrous mouth as some 

 animal inhabitant of the pool comes within reach, 

 the strong jaws close, the juice is sucked from 

 the captive's body, and the remnant of its former 

 self is rejected and permitted to go free. 



Time is far too short to explore the abundance 

 of insect life even in and around the little pool to 

 which we have made a pilgrimage, and if we 

 merely take note of the denizens on the surface of 

 the water and inhabiting the surrounding herbage 

 we shall find our time fully occupied. If we are 

 desirous of scooping out a handful of water and 

 examining the numerous forms of life found in a 

 tumblerful, then we must pay many more visits 

 to our little pool, and learn something fresh and 

 interesting each time we venture forth. 



The Whirligig Beetles and the Pond Skaters 

 will be found playing high jinks; the Water Boat- 



