"larva"; when we speak of more than one, instead of saying "larvas," we
say "larvæ."

The dragon fly larvæ are terrible gluttons, and hidden under the mask
are strong jaws for chewing up their prey.

Their legs are quite large and strong, too, for they crawl about the
bottom of the pond or up the stalks of the plants.

They do not move about very fast, but they do shoot out that under lip
very, very, _very_ fast indeed, so good-by to any little live thing in
the pond that comes within reach of it.

The dragon fly larvæ do not all look alike. They are different in the
different species of dragon flies, and, like the rest of us, they change
as they grow older.

Yes, May, you can keep the dragon fly larvæ until they change into
dragon flies.

You must supply them with fresh water and with enough to eat.

And you must put a net over the bowl or aquarium in which you keep them,
otherwise as soon as they are able they will fly away.

How can they fly without wings?

Oh, but they are going to have wings. You know they are young dragon
flies in spite of their strange appearance.