40 



that's it ; 



the surface of the water, it 

 imbibes air, and the process of 

 its transformation to the imago 

 state, 18, goes on ; the sheath, 17, 

 drying, rises out of the water, 

 and finally floats. The insect 



222. 



bursts from its confinement, and, 

 gradually raising itself, forces air 

 into the nervures of 

 its wings, 19, by which 

 they become expand- 

 ed,and then flies away, 

 to become, for a few 

 brief hours, a joyous 

 tenant of the air, 20. 



The dragon-fly (Aeshna grandis) 

 passes through similar states of 



existence, but its larva and pupa 

 are less dissimilar, and the fly 

 quits the-pupa sheath in a different 

 manner. When approaching ma- 

 turity it leaves the water, and 

 crawls up a branch of an aquatic 

 plant, the back of the pupa-case 

 splits open at the thorax, 2, the 

 fly emerges therefrom, 3, and, 

 when quite extricated, remains for 



224. 



a time with its wings shrivelled 

 and moist. Then it flutters them, 

 as if to test their strength, and 

 at length flies away ; while the 

 empty case, 2, with its elastic 

 thorax again closed, still clings 

 to the branch, 1, looking like a 

 perfect pupa. 



'* Glittering forth to the sunbeams bright, 

 Like a burnished gem in the golden light ; 

 Glancing o'er meadow, and skimming o'er 

 mead, 



What a joyous life must an insect lead 1 



" Its palace at night is a lily's fold, 

 With its shafts of ivory tipp'd with gold; 

 With delicate crystal, the floor inlaid, 

 And a pearl-fretted ceiling overhead. 



M Its fragrant couch is a rose's breast, 

 Where 'tis gently lull'd to its dreamless rest, 

 By the fitful breath of the night-winds' 

 swell, 



Or the plaintive song of the nightingale. 



' When the morning breaks, it can gaily sip 

 From a golden cup with a jewelled lip ; 

 And for dainty fare, it can choose to dine 

 On the dewy leaf of the eglantine ! " 



