. Insect transformations . nal ring ofthis grub is extended to a considerable length, andfringed at the end with a beautiful star like funnel ofthirty feathered hairs. Whether the creature oils these, * Biblia, iXaturrp, i, 154. ORGANS FOR BREATHING IN WATER-GRUBS. 157 like the grub of the gnat, \vc know not, but theyperfectly repel water ; and at the point wiiere theinsect liangs suspended, a small dimple may be ob-served on the surlace. When it wishes to dive to thebottom, it has the power ot bringing the ends of thehairs together, without diminishing the ca[)acity of thefunnel below ; and a
. Insect transformations . nal ring ofthis grub is extended to a considerable length, andfringed at the end with a beautiful star like funnel ofthirty feathered hairs. Whether the creature oils these, * Biblia, iXaturrp, i, 154. ORGANS FOR BREATHING IN WATER-GRUBS. 157 like the grub of the gnat, \vc know not, but theyperfectly repel water ; and at the point wiiere theinsect liangs suspended, a small dimple may be ob-served on the surlace. When it wishes to dive to thebottom, it has the power ot bringing the ends of thehairs together, without diminishing the ca[)acity of thefunnel below ; and a globule of air, for the purpose ofbreathing under water, is thus enclosed and carrieddown, appearing, as Swammerdam says, like a bril-liant pearl or polished silver. As for my part, headds, I dare boldly affirm, that the incom[)rchensiblegreatness of the Deity manifests itself in these mys-terious operations in a particular manner, and affordsus an opportunity of examining, as it were, with oursenses, the divine nature.*^. Biioy-like itructure In rlic Uiil of a water-grub cir» two-viinjed flyStrittiomy-i Chianaleon.) part 1 I 158 INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS, The preceding grub may occasionally be found inshallow ditches, and about the edges of ponds, insummer; but a remarkable larva, with a very dif-ferent apparatus for breathing, is much more commonin similar situations, and also in the open drains fromdunghills, &c. The latter is the maggot of a two-winged, bee-like fly [Helophihis pcndulus, Meigen),and trom its shape is appropriately termed rat-tailedby Reaumur. The tail is the part of the grub whichmost merits attention, being formed somewhat after thetelescopic model of the ovipositor of the breeze flies,*
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