380 NEUROPTERA. 
eating into the bank to a certain distance, 
it works its way back again to the water 
in the same manner ; and sometimes the 
whole bank of a river may be found 
dbored with these little holes, each shaped 
like a U. 
Lacy, But, mamma, how was it dis- 
covered, that these little creatures, who 
are always under the water, swallowed 
the mud, instead of throwing it away ? 
Mother. Their skin is so very trans- 
parent, that, with the assistance of a mag- 
nifying glass, the intestines may be plainly 
seen to be filled with the clay into which 
they had penetrated. 
Their bodies* are long in proportion to 
their breadth, and are divided into nine 
rings : the head is furnished with two 
antennae, placed before the eyes ; and 
with two strong, horny, bent claws, with 
which they dig out the clay. They have 
three pair of legs, and run very briskly : 
* Plate XV. 
