DIALOGUE XVI. 
PLUNGER BEETLE, OR DYTISCUS MARGI- 
NALIS. BOMBARDIER BEETLE, OR CA- 
RABUS CREPITANS. BLISTER FLY, OR 
MELOE VESICATORIUS. 
MOTHER, Our last conversation 
ended with the little winged lamps, that 
adorn the night: we will now speak of a 
very different genus, which dwells chiefly 
in water. 
Lucy, In water ! I thought that 
when once insects had reached the flying 
state they quitted the water for ever. 
Mother. All those, which have naked 
wings, must do so, as the water would 
render them unfit for flying ; but several 
kinds have shelly cases for the protection 
of their wings, and continue to live in 
the water after they have acquired the 
