28 
FINDING NATURE’S TREASURES 
“That is the baby dobson fly we are looking for,” said 
Uncle Jack, when he saw it. He reached down to pick 
it up, but he was careful to take hold of it just back of 
its head. The baby dobson fly could not turn around and 
pinch him with its big jaws. But how hard it did try! 
“How long does it take a baby dobson fly to grow up?” 
asked Marylee. 
“Some of them live in the water like this one for al¬ 
most three years before they get their wings and are 
grown-up dobson flies,” replied Uncle Jack. 
“They come from eggs, don't they?” asked Buddy. 
“What are they like?” 
“Yonder are some on those leaves hanging over the 
water,” said Uncle Jack, as he pointed to some leaves 
near Marylee. 
“I don't see any eggs here,” said Marylee. “There are 
some white spots on the leaves, but nothing else.” 
“That white stuff is a cover for the eggs,” explained 
Uncle Jack. “The mother dobson fly lays about two thou¬ 
sand eggs. When the eggs hatch, the tiny insects drop 
into the water. They have to catch their own food and 
keep away from hungry fish that would eat them.” 
“Are you going to let both of them go now?” asked 
Bess. 
“Yes, of course, we will turn them loose,” said Uncle 
Jack. “They do not harm us, and we should let them 
live and be as happy as they can.” 
Uncle Jack put the young one back into the water, 
and turned the big dobson fly loose in the air. 
