WONDERS OF POND LIFE. l8l 



some resistance, of course, but by careful maneu- 

 vering the burglary is committed without taking 

 life. The interior is richly upholstered with fine 

 spun silk, which no doubt secures the animal 

 within the case, and prevents its tender body from 

 rubbing too hard against the coarse material of 

 which it is composed. On each side of the body 

 are six pairs of leaf-like gills, connecting with air 

 tubes by which this most interesting larva breathes. 

 After viewing its forlorn condition, we thrust it on 

 the cold mercies of the aquarium, wherein it imme- 

 diately sets about prospecting for another house. 

 What curious insects are these water-boatmen ! 

 Look up through the water at them. A few play- 

 ful but masterly exhibitions of their skill, and they 

 arrive opposite the judge's stand, lying on their 

 backs. How much their wing-covers resemble a 

 miniature canoe, water-tight, and shining like bur- 

 nished silver ! Evidently they are preparing for 

 the start ; see, one of them is cleaning its paddles 

 and brushing its keel, as 



" wet flies twist their thighs 



When they wipe their heads and eyes." 



Look on deck with the magnifier ! 



