INSECTS. 



Podura Villosa. 



Pbryganea Grandis 



Mite. 



Centipede, and Millipede. 



The Pbryganea Grandis, in its larva state, resides in a cylindrical case, open at each end, to which 

 it attaches sticks, weeds, and pebbles, by silken threads, which it spins from its mouth. This case it 

 bears about with it, never voluntarily quitting it. When about to assume the pupa state, it fastens its 

 case to some solid substance under water, closing both ends of the case with a sort of grating, which 

 admits the water necessary for breeding. When nearly arrived at their perfect form, they make their 

 way out with a pair of hooked jaws, then furnished them, and swim about very actively by means of 

 the two hind legs. The food of some is vegetable, while others prey on smaller creatures of their own race. 



The Podura Villosa is the name of a small animal, whose most distinguishing mark is that its ab- 

 domen is prolonged into a somewhat long, elastic, forked tail, by means of which the creature can 

 execute the most astonishing leaps, from which conformation the race are vulgarly called spring tails. 

 There is also a species of mane on the neck, and two plumes rising from the top of the head. 



The Mycale Fodiens, or Mining Spiders, found in southern Europe,„construct on dry, shelving lo- 

 calities, exposed to the sun, subterranean, cylindrical galleries, often two feet deep, and so winding, 

 that their traces are lost. They line these with a silken tube, forming at its entrance a movable 

 lid, composed of silk and earth, and attached to the silken lining by a sort of hinge. This is adapted, 

 by its size, situation, and weight, to close the aperture so exactly, as hardly to permit its entrance 

 to be distinguished from the neighboring soil. When the Mycale enters this retreat, or leaves it, the 

 door shuts of itself. This spider spins a cocoon round its eggs, inclosing a hundred or more. These 

 are hatched within it, and sustain their first changes before quitting it. 



The Centipede, so named from its having a hundred feet, is found in many parts of the world, but 

 is common within the tropics. The largest, which are the East Indian, are about six inches long, 

 of a ruddy color, and as thick as a man's finger. They have many joints, and from each joint a leg 

 on each side; are covered with hair, and apparently eyeless; but there are two feelers on the head, 

 which subserve the purposes of eyes; the head is round, with two sharp teeth, wherewith they in- 

 flict painful and dangerous wounds. 



The Millipede differs from the Centipede in having a far greater number of feet. Some are smooth 

 and others hairy ; some are yellow, some black, and some brown. They are found between the wood 

 and bark of decayed trees, as also among moss-covered stones. Whatever their qualities in the 

 tropics, in Europe they are harmless. 



The Dytiscus Marginalis is an aquatic Beetle, which passes its 

 larva and perfect states in placid, fresh waters, such as lakes, pools, 

 and ditches, except during its metamorphosis, which occurs on 

 land. Its larva preys upon other aquatic larvae, moving swiftly 

 through the water, and striking them with its expanded tail. The 

 pupae are found buried in the neighboring banks. Its larvae have 

 a long, narrow body, with a strong head, armed with powerful 

 mandibles, and they are of extremely active, carnivorous habits. 



Dytiscus Marginalis. 



