Page 28 - Design in Nature

8

without damage. This process takes place
perfectly even though it would be devastating
if only one of the legs were stuck. The legs are
left to dry and harden for about twenty

minutes before any testing.
The wings are fully developed already
but are in a folded position. The body fluid is
pumped by firm contractions of the body into
the wing tissues (10). The wings are left drying
after stretching (11).
After it leaves the old body and dries out

completely, the dragonfly tests all the legs and
wings. The legs are folded and stretched one
by one and wings are raised and lowered.

9 10

11