QUEER LITTLE FOLKS, 127 



comes the mast of its own little boat, and a vertical mast 

 also. 



10. The forepart of the boat is much more loaded than 

 the other, but it is also much broader. It is difficult to 

 imagine how the insect is able to put itself in such a sin- 

 gular, though for it necessary, position, and how it can 

 keep it. Any one who observes how deep the forepart of 

 the boat is, and how near the edges of its sides are to the 

 water, forgets, for the time being, that the mosquito is an 

 insect that he would willingly destroy at other times. One 

 feels uneasy for its fate ; and the more so if the wind happens 

 to arise so as to disturb the surface of the water. But one 

 sees with pleasure that there is air enough to carry the 

 mosquito along quickly ; it is carried from side to side ; it 

 makes voyages in the boat in which it is borne. The boat, 

 as yet, has only a mast, because its wings and legs are fixed 

 close to its body, but in proportion it is a larger sail than 

 one would dare to put on a real vessel ; one can not help 

 fearing that the little boat will capsize. Should the boat 

 capsize, there is no chance for the mosquito. I have seen 

 the water covered with mosquitoes which had perished as 

 soon as they were born. Happily, all dangers may be 

 passed over in a minute. 



11. The mosquito, after raising itself perpendicularly, 

 draws its two front legs from the sheath and brings them 

 forward, and then draws out the two next. It now no 

 longer tries to maintain its erect position, but leans to- 

 ward the water, gets near it, and places its feet upon it ; 

 the water is sufficiently firm and solid to support the in- 

 sect's body. As soon as it is thus in the water it is safe ; 

 its wings are unfolded and dried, which is done sooner than 

 it takes to tell it, and it then is in a condition to fly away 

 and commence experiments on the observer. 



Reaumur. 



