NOTES AND 
Mr. Jonn J. Warp, of Coventry, has sent for 
The fina) Publication a photograph of 
emergence of the Mayfly after its emergence 
the Mayfly. tom the subumago skin, which 
may be seen left behind on the grass blade. 
Mr. Ward writes :— 
“After spending two or three years at 
the muddy bottom of the river, the mayfly 
nymph prepares for its bnef and final 
winged state. When all things are per- 
fected the nymph floats to the surface of 
the water, and almost before we are aware 
of what is taking place a mayfly appears and 
rising on its nymph skin flies to the nearest 
riverside plant. 
“But this is not the perfect mayfly—only 
an intermediate or swbimago stage, for the 
insect has yet to make another emergence 
before it completes its metamorphosis. But 
let us examine the mayfly at this stage in 
its life-cycle. First we observe that the 
THE MAYFLY. (Natural size.) 
From a photograph taken immediately after its emergence 
from the swbimago skin. 
11 
COMMENTS. 
insect is of a dingy hue or grey colour, not 
a spark of the brilhant and varnished-like 
surface of the wings and body of the per- 
fect mayfly as it flashes in the evening 
sunlight. Secondly, its forelegs seem too 
short; and its caudal sete or tail filaments 
seem blunt and shortened; even its wings are 
cramped and small. 
“But we must wait awhile, our insect is 
resting from the great efforts of its recent 
emergence. After a time, which varies very 
much in individual insects, a little trembling 
sensation seems to take possession of the 
mayfly, and then a most beautiful and mar- 
vellous emergence and transformation may 
be witnessed. 
“The skin at the back of the head splits, 
and slowly the head and forelegs of the 
perfect imsect appear through the broken 
integument, and, remarkable to observe, the 
forelegs have nearly doubled their previous 
leneth. After the head and forelegs are 
through, the insect draws itself forward until 
its wings and the remainder of its body 
eradually leave their glove-lke vesture. 
The one remarkable feature that strikes the 
observer 1s the apparent telescopic expansion 
of every part as soon as it leaves its swbimago 
skin. The wings become glossy and sparkling 
as they leave the delicate integument, and in 
the latter almost immediately collapse as the 
wings are withdrawn. But most wonderful 
of all is the withdrawing of the tail filaments, 
seeming almost like the work of a magician, 
as these appendages, nearly three times the 
length of their cases, are withdrawn. 
“The photograph shows the brilhant and 
fully-developed mayfly just emerged and 
prior to its flight, leaving its swbimago skin 
on the grass blade behind. 
“The pseudo-imago condition constitutes 
the ‘dun’ of anglers, while ‘spinner’ refers 
to the perfect insect.” 
es 
Mr. Chement SHORTER has kindly given us 
permission to reproduce the 
accompanying photograph of 
an Indian elephant and her twins. A young 
Twin 
Elephants. 
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