514 NATURAL HISTORY. 



with water nor upset, however the water may be agitated. In 

 a few days the eggs are hatched, when a little lid opens in 

 the under end of each egg, and down tumbles the larva into 

 the water. 



After remaining in the water for some days it assumes the 

 pupa form. In this state it floats at the surface with the 

 back of the thorax uppermost. Soon this splits, and the in- 

 sect emerges, standing on its own cast skin, which forms a 

 raft for it until its wings are fully dry, when it takes to flight, 

 leaving behind it the empty shell floating on the water. This 

 change may be witnessed any warm day in summer. 



The GADFLY has from the most ancient times been known 

 as the terror of the herd. At the sound of its approach the 

 cattle are driven almost mad with terror. The young gad- 

 flies are nourished under the skin, where they remain until 

 they are fit to pass into the pupa state, when they bury 

 themselves in the ground, and alter a few days spent under 

 the earth, issue forth in their periect state. 



Order IV. APHANIPTERA.(Gr:Kiavfc, invisible; irrtpov, a wing.) 

 Family . . Pulicidse. (Lat. Pulex, a Flea.) 

 PULEX. 



Irritans (Lat. irritating}, the Flea. 



The strength and agility of this curious but annoying .little 

 insect is perfectly wonderful. Many of my readers have doubt- 

 less seen the exhibition of the Industrious Fleas, who drew 

 little carriages, and carried comparatively heavy weights with 



