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Marvels of the Universe 



Photo hy] 



THE GIANT TORTOISE. 



Few animals live to a greater ase than these huge, ungainly creatures. The photograph here shown 



Matara. which is computed to be at least 150 years old. 



[Stanleii Atylvis. 



s of a patriarch at 



it changes into a chrysalis, and lies for some three weeks, taking no food, but displaying some 

 power of movement if disturbed. At length it emerges as a perfectly-formed beetle, differing 

 in every way from the grub, or " water-tiger," which has so far claimed our attention. Apart 

 from the deep-seated ph\''sical changes which take place unperceived, this strange transformation 

 is accompanied by two skin-castings. When the grub has formed its cell, and lain quiet 

 for a few days, it wriggles out of its latest grub suit and appears in quite a novel guise. 

 If we open its cell at this juncture, we find within a white, mummy-like creature, unrecognizable 

 at first glance either as the grub which we knew or the beetle which we anticipate. Yet 

 if we make a closer examination, we may trace the several parts of the coming beetle all 

 folded together. The wings, in particular, are packed up in little bags, and folded forward 

 among the legs. 



Then comes the second skin-changing — a somewhat slow process, during which the wings and 

 wing-cases " fill out " and assume their normal position above the insect's back. When all is over 

 the pupa has been changed into a perfect beetle — complete in every detail save that it is soft and 

 limp, while its colour is yellowish white. How great is the transformation ma\' be appreciated by 

 a comparison of the accompanying photographs. 



Not long after attaining the adult state the beetle emerges from its cell and enters the water. It 

 is still pale and soft, and fulh' a week will elapse ere it gains the colour and solidity of armour 

 characteristic of its kind. But it soon begins to " hustle," and to indulge its voracious appetite to 

 the full, with the result that in ten <la.ys' time it is as perfect a representative of the Diving Beetle 

 fraternity as heart could wish. 



