1128 Marvels of the Universe 
is known as a ball-and-socket arrangement, 
but such a joint, if properly constructed, 
would not be so easily parted as we know 
to be the case in that of the Daddy-long- 
legs, for the slightest touch is sufficient. 
The reason is not far to seek if we care- 
fully dissect a limb. 
In the second photo on that page this 
has been done, and the mystery is at 
once solved, for the lower limb will be 
seen to have no ball at all to articulate 
with the socket of the adjacent member ; 
it is, in fact, a very poorly-defined and 
tapering spike. This moves with great 
freedom, no doubt, in the roomy socket 
into which it articulates, but, it is almost 
needless to point out, is very easily dis- 
articulated. What happens, then, when 
a leg comes off, is not a fracture of a 
OA Fla Sa limb, as commonly supposed, but a 
HEAD OF CRANE FLY. coming-off of a portion at one of these 
Showing the eyes, proboscis, antennae and other appendages. joints. No doubt the arrangement 1S for 
(Highly magnified.) : P 
self-preservation. 
One more point of interest must not be overlooked. The Daddy when at rest seems to compose 
itself with legs or portions of legs at curious angles, which one would think a very exhausting and 
fatiguing position to maintain. But if we examine and compare the two lower photos on page 
1129, we shall see (by their special 
arrangement for the purpose) that the 
position is maintained by resting one 
part of the leg upon two stout bristles 
attached to an adjacent limb; hence the 
resting act is truly one of resting, and 
not one obtained by a protracted muscular 
effort. 
In this portion of the leg the joint is of 
a more incomplete nature still, and is no 
doubt so arranged for still easier disloca- 
tion, doubtless to prevent the insect being 
caught, if the legs become adherent to the 
object upon which it is resting. 
GIANT FIGS 
BY EDWARD STEP, F.L.S. 
THE Figs are a numerous family which 
includes several species worthy of special 
Photo by] LET ISUuta rn R MS: description. Two of them are probably 
CRANE FLY. 
These are three out of four appendages of the head, but it is not 
clear which pair are the true antennae. (Highly magnified. 
well known to every reader. These are 
the Fig, whose fruits, green and. dried, 
