292 



INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



leon fly {Stratiomys chameleon), whose singular 

 larva we formerly described.* When this draws near 

 the period of its transformation, it leaves the water, 

 betaking itself to the adjacent bank, or to the plants 

 which Boat on the water, creeping up so as to leave 

 only a part of its tail submersed. In this position 

 it remains, contracting itself by degrees in a manner 

 scarcely perceivable, and losing all power of loco- 

 motion. The internal portion of the tail at the same 

 time separates gradually and insensibly from the 

 exterior skin, becoming greatly contracted; and, ga- 

 thering into three or four curvatures, the extremity is 

 thereby left empty. Into this space the air penetrates 

 and soon tills the place previously occupied by the 

 body, which is now contracted to one-third of its 

 former size. When the air is prevented by too much 



A, Pupa of chameleon fly, with Ihe lid of the pupariura raised. 

 li, the same inagiiified, nnil tliu i)iipuiiuni laid open to show the 

 embryo fly. C, the ciiiljiyo lly iiKigiiified -.—an, antennas ; b b, 

 the eyes; c, sucker; d d, lirst jiair of leg.s ; i <, second pair ; 

 //, the wings folded up ; g h i, rings of the body ; /.• /,-, breath- 

 ing-tubes. 



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