26 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
on the surface of water or in damp ground around 
the edges of it; (4) young sandflies. 
CYCLE—Female insect lays its eggs on the water 
in sunny weather. The grubs which emerge from 
them live among the wmter weeds, especially in 
swamps. They have long bodies, six legs and 
bulging eyes. The pupae are found on the stems 
of reeds, rushes or raupo. The Dragon Flies emerge 
from the skins of these, leaving the skeletons 
sticking to the stems. These empty “shells” are, 
therefore, easily found in swamp districts. 
NOTES—Trout eat a great many—both the grubs 
and young insects. Dragon Flies are sometimes 
miscalled “horse-stingers.” None of them can 
sting. Ihey are not only harmless, but are 
beautiful and useful insects. (See Food.) The 
mental attitude of most children towards them is 
the direct opposite to what it should be. Know¬ 
ledge will correct this. 
THE HUMBLE BEE 
DESCRIPTION — Also called “Bumble-bee.” 
Much larger and thicker body than the honey-bee. 
Some are almost entirely black; others have golden 
yellow bars across their backs and sides ; a third 
kind is all black except for a patch of red at the 
end of the body. 
HABITS—They sleep during the winter in holes 
usually made in sloping ground such as that usually 
found below a tall hedge. In early spring the 
queen bee makes a number of cells of a tough 
material of a dirty brown colour. 
9f 
