288 STATES OF INSECTS. 



in maintaining it in this position. The latter are too soft, 

 and, as it were, folded ; and the former are stretched out 

 alone the abdomen — the segments of this last part are the 

 only agents. The observer who sees how the little boat 

 gradually sinks, and how its margin approaches the wa- 

 ter, forgets the mischievous insect it contains, which at 

 another time he would crush without remorse, and be- 

 comes interested for its fate ; especially should wind agi- 

 tate the water. A very little is sufficient to drive about 

 rapidly the little voyager, since it catches the wind in 

 some degree as a sail. If it should be upset, it would be 

 all over with it; — and numbers do thus perish. The gnat, 

 after having fixed itself thus perpendicularly, draws first 

 its two anterior legs out of their case, and moves them 

 forward, and next the two intermediate ones ; then in- 

 clining itself towards the water, it rests its legs upon it, 

 for water is to them a soil sufficiently firm and solid to 

 support them, although surcharged with the weight . of 

 the insect's body. As soon as it is thus upon the water, 

 it is in safety ; its wings unfold themselves and are dried, 

 and it flies away. All this is the work of an instant a . 



The pupae of Chironomus plumosus proceed from those 

 red worm-like larvae so common throughout the summer 

 in tubs of rain-water, &c, described by Reaumur b . 

 They are not inclosed in cases, but are of a greater spe- 

 cific gravity than the water at the bottom of which they 

 reside, until within a few hours of the exclusion of the 

 fly. They have the power of swimming, however ; and 

 by moving the tail alternately backwards and forwards, 

 can slowly raise themselves to the top of the water. But 



a Reaum. iv. 610—. 



b Ibid. v. .30—. t. v./. 1 — 10. See above, p. 153—. 



