FORMFCA LEOr 203 
meroiis in the fly state; and tliey pro- 
duce fewer young than most other insects* 
The female lays but four or five eggs^ 
each of which she deposits by itself, in 
such situations as are most likely to 
afford the larva its proper food. To 
entrap that food the insect instinctively 
begins to form its snare the moment it 
issues from the egg, 
Lucy, What sort of fly is it, mam- 
ma ? 
Mother. It is something like the 
smaller dragon fly. The antennae are 
club-shaped, and as long as the thorax — 
eyes very prominent — mouth armed with 
jaws, and with two strong teeth — four 
long palpi, and two slender filaments 
in the tail, shaped like forceps. The 
wings are long, much veined and netted, 
of a dull white, with a few shades, 
and cloudy spots*. 
Lucy, Thank you, mamma, this has 
been a charming history indeed. But 
* Plate XVII. 
