09 
plants. These hatch out to creatures very similar in appearance ta 
their parents, but of course much inferior in size. At this, the larval 
Stage, they possess no wings. Alter a time the insect moults, be- 
coming a pupa, am) then displays two flans at its sides, which are 
the rudimentary wings. At a still later peri d there is another 
moult, this time the boatman becomes a perfect insect, with full 
powers of flight. It might be explained here that the larval state, 
a, mentioned above, is exactly analogous to the caterpillar stage of 
a butterfly, and the pupa to the chrysalis. 
Water Scorpion. — There will be no difficulty in the identifica- 
tion of this insect, for it is quite unlike any other to be found in the 
pond. Though broad when seen from above, it is almost as thin as 
a sheet of paper when viewed laterally, l he colour is very mud- 
like on the back, and admirably conceals the insect as It crouches at 
the bottom of the water waiting for prey. When within reach, the 
victim is seized by the front pair of legs and pressed against the 
beak like sucking organ situated b-»ween them. These front legs 
are very curious, for they fold in the same way as a penknife shuts 
into its handle. As in all the other insects described, the scorpion 
has to constantly visit the surface to renew its air supply. This is 
done very quaintly bv pushing ihe tip of the tail filament above the 
water. As it is hollow, air can he drawn down to the creature's 
spiracles or breathing holes, and held there until all ihe oxygen is 
exhausted. This insect is a fairly strong flier, though it seldom 
makes use of its powers in this direction. 
Dragon Fly. — Almost every one is acquainted with the won- 
derful metamorphoses through which a butterfly passes to attain its 
perfect state Beginning life as an egg it hatches to a caterpillar, 
whose sole aim is to eat and grow to lay up energy and strength for 
its after life. When full fed this grub casts its skin and becomes a 
chrysalis. In this stage it is absolutely unable to take food, and, 
but for a few jerking actions of its body, it is incapable of move- 
ment. When the development is complete, it emerges as a perfect 
insect, and the whole cycle of this life begins again. Now. in the 
case of a dragon fly, the conditions are very similar, though they 
differ in a few important details. I he egg is laid singly on the 
xrial portion of some water-plant by the female dragon fly, and 
when the larva is hatched it has not far to go before it reaches the 
element in which it is destined to spend the major part of its career. 
The little creature has six legs, and is very similar in appearance to 
the pupa figured in our illustrations, though of course it is much 
smaller. Its appetite is enormous, and its one and only thought is 
to eat. In spite of this it grows slowly, for some three seasons will 
be spent in preparing itself for its final change to a perfect dragon-fly. 
When it has reached a length of about an inch and a half a moult 
takes place, which is quite different from those previously made. 
This time the insect appears from out its old skin with two small 
processes on its shoulders, which will later develop the well-known 
gauzy wings of the perfect insect. The creature is now a pupa, a stage 
analogous to the chrysalis of the butte- fly. But instead of being quies- 
cent this pupa is even more voracious than it was in its earlier stages. 
If our illustration, “ Underside, shewing mask,” be consulted, there 
will he noticed a curious triangular plite tightly fixed to the under 
part ol the head. This plate, which is known as the mask, is hinged 
at its hinder end to an arm which is concealed beneath it, and w hich 
in its turn is hinged to the lip of the insect. The mask, moreover, 
has at its free end a pair of daw-like seizing appendages. It will be 
readily seen, then, that this mask is capable of being unfolded, so 
that it reaches to some distance in front of the insect's mouth. 
