22 NEUROPTEliA. 



quently it designs a space of time too long for 

 some, and too short for others. 



The larva and the chrysalis are nearly alike ; 

 they have six feet, and six plumated fins on the 

 sides of the abdomen, and range about beneath 

 the waters for a year or two, before they emerge 

 to become inhabitants of the air. In May or 

 June the transformation happens. The chry- 

 salis creeps to the shore, the skin bursts, the 

 tender fly issues from the cavity, unfolds its 

 wings, and launches into the air. Myriads are 

 thus produced, and will cover the clothes of 

 any person standing by a brook or pond, in a 

 warm close evening in the month of June. 

 The males have very little activity ; they merely 

 flutter above the surface of the water till they 

 drop ; and seem scarcely born for any other 

 purpose than to die. Not go the females: 

 they have an important duty to fulfil; a future 

 generation depends on their exertions, and their 

 short existence is occupied in depositing their 

 eggs. Two large packets, each containing 

 three or four hundred, are inclosed within 

 the body of every female, from whence they 



