reservoir; others make use of their antennæ, the hairs of which retain the globules of air. In this case it is brought under the thorax, whence a groove carries it to the spiracles. Sometimes the same result is obtained by a more complicated arrangement, consisting of respiratory tubes which can be thrust into the air, which it is their function to introduce into the organisation.

Insects which breathe in the water without rising to the surface are provided with gills—organs which, though variable in form, generally consist of foliaceous or fringed expansions, in the midst of which the tracheæ ramify in considerable numbers. These vessels are filled with air, but it does not disseminate itself in them directly, and it is only through the walls of these tubes that the contained gas is exchanged for the air held in suspension by the surrounding water. The oxygen contained in the water passes through certain very permeable membranes of the gill, and penetrates the tracheæ, which discharge, in exchange, carbonic acid, which is the gaseous product of respiration.

Fig. 14 represents the gills or breathing apparatus in an aquatic insect. We take as an example Ephemera. [3] It may be observed that the gills or foliaceous laminæ are placed at the circumference of the body, and at its smallest parts.

We have now seen that the respiratory apparatus is considerably developed in insects; it is, therefore, easy to foresee that those functions are most actively employed by them. In fact, if one compares the oxygen they imbibe with the heavy organic matter of which their body is composed, the amount is enormous.

Before finishing this rapid examination of the body of an insect, we shall have to say a few words on the nervous system.

This system is chiefly composed of a double series of ganglions, or collections of nerves, which are united together by longitudinal cords. The number of these ganglions corresponds with that of the segments. Sometimes they are at equal distances, and extend in a chain from one end of the body to the other; at others they are many of them close together, so as to form a single mass.

The cephalic ganglions are two in number; they have been described by anatomists under the name of brain. "This expression," says M. Lacordaire, "would be apt to mislead the reader, as it would induce him to suppose the existence of a concentration of faculties to control the feelings and excite the movements, which is not the case." [4] The same naturalist observes, "All the ganglions of the ventral chain are endowed with nearly the same properties, and represent each other uniformly."

The ganglion situated above the œsophagus gives rise to the optic nerves, which are the most considerable of all those of the body, and to the nerves of the antennæ. The ganglion beneath the œsophagus provides the nerves of the mandibles, of the jaws, and of the lower lip. The three pairs of ganglions which follow those placed immediately below the œsophagus, belong to the three segments of the thorax, and give rise to the nerves of the feet and wings. They are in general more voluminous than the following pairs, which occupy the abdomen.

Fig. 15 represents the nervous system of the Carabus auratus: A is the cephalic ganglion; B, the sub-œsophagian ganglion; C, the prothoracic ganglion; D and E are the ganglions of the mesothorax and metathorax. The remainder, F F, are the abdominal ganglions.

Fig. 15.—Nervous system of Carabus auratus.

Before finishing these preliminary observations, it is necessary to say that the preceding remarks only apply absolutely to insects arrived at the perfect state. It is important to make this remark, as insects, before arriving at that state, pass through various other stages. These stages are often so different from each other, that it would be difficult to imagine that they are only modifications of the same animal; one would suppose that they were as many different kinds of animals, if there was not abundant proof of the contrary.

The successive stages through which an insect passes are four in number:—the egg; the larva; the pupa, nymph, or chrysalis; and the perfect insect, or imago.

The egg state, which is common to them, as to all other articulate animals, it is unnecessary to explain. Nearly all insects lay eggs, though some few are viviparous. There often exists in the extremity of the abdomen of the female a peculiar organ, called the ovipositor, which is destined to make holes for the reception of the eggs. By a wonderful instinct the mother always lays her eggs in a place where her young, on being hatched, can find an abundance of nutritious substances. It will not be needless to observe that in most cases, these aliments are quite different to those which the mother seeks for herself.

In the second stage, that is to say, on leaving the egg—the larva period—the insect presents itself in a soft state, without wings, and resembles a worm. In ordinary language, it is nearly always called a worm, or grub, and in certain cases, a caterpillar.

Linnæus was the first to use the term "larva"—taken from the Latin word larva, "a mask"—as he considered that, in this form, the insect was as it were masked. During this period of its life the insect eats voraciously, and often changes its skin. At a certain period it ceases to eat, retires to some hidden spot, and, after changing its skin for the last time, enters the third stage of its existence, and becomes a chrysalis. In this state it resembles a mummy enveloped in bandages, or a child in its swaddling clothes. It is generally incapable of either moving or nourishing itself. It continues so for days, weeks, months, and sometimes even for years.

While the insect is thus apparently dead, a slow but certain change is going on in the interior of its body. A marvellous work, though not visible outside, is being effected, for the different organs of the insect are developing by degrees under the covering which surrounds them. When their formation is complete, the insect disengages itself from the narrow prison in which it was enclosed, and makes its appearance, provided with wings, and capable of propagating its kind; in short, of enjoying all the faculties which Nature has accorded to its species. It has thrown off the mask; the larva and pupa has disappeared, and given place to the perfect insect.

To show the reader the four states through which the insect passes in succession, in Fig. 16 is represented the insect known as the Hydrophilus,