CHAMELION FLY. SlT 
on each little filament there was a bright 
globule of air; and when the animal 
wished to change its place, by twisting, 
or bending its body from side to side, it 
was able to effect a slow progress through 
the water. 
Lucy, How beautiful the little dia- 
mond globules must have appeared round 
its fanned tail ! 
Mother. Yes, it was a very pretty 
sight. When it chose to descend, it 
contracted, or drew in, the points of the 
filaments towards each other, resembling, 
in shape, a hollow pear, and inclosing 
between them a large globule, or bubble, 
of air ; thus transforming its fringed tail 
into a little air balloon, which always 
kept that end uppermost. 
Lucy. But how did it procure the 
air, and force it into the balloon ? 
Mother. It seems to have the power 
of forcing the air from its own body into 
the little balloon. As it sinks in the 
water the bubble is often allowed to 
escape, though instantly replaced by an- 
