The particular larva that has been described is that of uEshna grand%s, one of our largest Dragon-flies, but the description will suit almost any species, their general form and nabits being very much alike.

When the pupa has nearly completed its time it ceases to loed, and the respiration seems difficult and laboured. An

irrepressible instinct then drives it to leave the water in which it has so long lived, and, seizing the stem of a reed or other aquatic plant, it crawls upwards until it is a foot or two above the surface ; clasping the reed firmly with its feet, it sways itself backwards and forwards until the pupal skin splits along the shoulders and the wings and body of the perfect insect show themselves beneath it.

The respiration is now changed. Formerly, as has been described, that function was performed by means of a gill-like apparatus within the body, but now the insect begins to breathe atmospheric air by means of spiracles. It rests for a time, as if to accustom itself to so radical a change, and then recommences its struggles. By degrees it draws itself entirely from the pupal envelope, which is left still clinging to the plant up which it had crawled. In spots where Dragon-flies abound, these shed skins can often be found, clinging as firmly to the plant as if still tenanted by the insect. The metamorphosis, though complete in one sense, is not yet finished ; for the wings are still thick, short, and scarcely larger than in the pupal state. Presently the insect begins to take a series of inspirations, quivering the wings the while; and, as it deep does so, they rapidly enlarge, fold after fold shakes itself out as the air is driven through the vessels which permeate them, and at last they are spread in all their shining beauty. Yet a while the insect waits until the wings have gained their needful strength, and then it darts off into the air to begin its new life.

As in its former stages, the Dragon-fly is terribly predaceous, and, contrary to the ways of most insects, eating seems to be the chief object in life. From early morning to nightfall the Dragon-fly is perpetually hunting and devouring prey, respecting the nature of its food nor and in nowise particular the way in which it is obtained. For example, if a Dragon-fly uninjured, and held by its wings, it will eat almost be caught that may be supplied to it. Nor does it any amount of insects confine itself to insects, for it will devour spiders, centipedes, shrimps, and similar creatures ; and, as millipedes, fresh-water it will start off again on a hawking exsoon as it is released, as liungry as if it had had nothing to eat pedition, apparently for a whole day.

There is a peculiarity in the flight of the Dragon-fly — at all

events in some species — which assists it greatly in chasing prey. It has the power of suddenly reversing the stroke of its wings, so that it can stop itself in full career, and can even fly backwards with some speed. This power is specially useful when the Dragon-fly is engaged in chasing an insect among obstacles, and, when it has darted into a narrow passage in which there is not sufficient space for it to tmm, it can back itself out again without much difficulty.

It is a pity that the lovely colours with which most of these insects are decorated should be so fleeting, but it is a sad fact that there are scarcely any insects in which the colours last for so short a time after death. The only plan for preserving them that seems at all feasible is that which was employed by the late Mr. Waterton, namely, taking the insect to pieces, removing the interior, painting the inside of the empty shell with the requisite colom-s, and then putting the pieces together again. Still, even this tedious and laborious plan does not answer with the comparatively solid thorax, and, as many species have stripes of bright scarlet, yellow, blue or green on the thorax, the process is evidently an imperfect one. The species^ which is shown in the Plate, Lihellula depressa, keeps its colom- better than any which I know, but then its hues are never at any time brilliant. Some of them retain sufficient colour to show what their hues have been, but in all cases the brilliancy of the various tints passes be renewed. away and cannot

We will now take in detail one or two of the most prominent species as examples of this beautiful family. They are divided into two large groups, called Libellulides and Agrionides. The insects of these groups may easily be distinguished by the shape of the head, which in the Libellulides is rounded, and in the Agrionides is more cylindrical and set cross-wise to the body, something like that of the hammer-headed shark. So strongly is this mode of structure defined in some of the species, that without their wings they bear no little resemblance to croquet-mallets. We will take two examples ^ of each group.

On Woodcut XXVII. Fig. 2 is represented one of our finest

known to entomologists as Covdulecjaster annu- Dragon-flies, genus the ocelli are set in a row, the eyes latus. In this other above ; the lower or anal angles of the lever toward each angulated, and the abdomen is club-shaped. wings are boldly to this peculiarity in the generic name Keference is made is composed of two Greek words, the Cordulegaster, which a club, and the other the belly. The insect former signifying

annulatus. 3. Raphidia ophiopsis. i. Chr>-sopa sops. 2. Cordulegaster a. Eggs of Chrysopa.

sometimes even larger than attains a very great size, being in point of colour, the

illustration, and is very handsome the marked ivith bold bands and whole body and thorax being A specimen in my collection stripes of rich golden-yellow. of the thorax in a wonderfu y has retained the yellow marks of the abdomen have almost wholly perfect manner, but those perished.

Our next species is that which is represented on Plate VIII. Fig. 3. Its name is Libellula depressa, and it is generally accepted as the typical species of the family. In the insects of this genus the ocelli are set in a triangle, the body is mostly broad and flattened, and the anal angle of the lower wings is rounded. The present species is not so handsome in point of colour as the preceding, but is yet adorned with a delicate blueish tint, looking in life very much as if the body had been first painted blue, and then dusted very finely with pearlpowder. The upper part of the thorax is yellow. The dark spots at the bases of both pairs of wings are deep rich chestnut brown.

This is a wonderfully active insect, and, probably on account of its short body, it has a way of darting boldly among the branches of trees and shrubs in order to chase its prey. When thus engaged, and with prey in sight, it becomes so much in pursuit that it can be easily captured in the net, though at other times it is very wary, and will seldom permit the net to approach within striking distance. The larva of this insect is shown at Fig. 4 at the bottom of the page, and at Fig. 3a is represented the escape of the perfect insect from the pupal skin.

Next come the Agrionides, two of which are shown on the ^me page. At Fig. 5 is shown the beautiful Demoiselle Dragon-fly {Galopteryx virgo). In the insects of this genus there IS no ‘ stigma,’ or dark spot on the outer edge of the wiuffs This species is remarkable for the very great difference in colour between the sexes. The females, one of which is here figured are totally green both wings and body, whereas the males are deep-blue, with black patches on the wings. In some places these insects absolutely swarm, and about Oxford they mav be found in the greatest profusion, hovering over the many streams and ditches which intersect the country, and giving almost a tropical beauty to the scene, as they flit abouLith "Win^s« ^he sunshine glittering on their richly-tinted bodies and

on minium is given on Plate VUI. Fig. 6. There is no difficulty in le distinguifw

members of this genus from other Dragon-flifs. The

‘stigma’ is not only existent on both pairs of wings, but it is boldly rbomboidal in shape, the angles sloping inwards.

It does not look very conspicuous, and this is exactly its The Agrions are so slender and delicate that on a character. summer day they scarcely look like insects, but appear bright streaks of coloured light wafted here and there more like purpose. The eye soon learns to distinwithout any settled

guish their forms, but there is really something so delightfully fairy-like about them as they come and go, apparently by disillusioning is really matter of regret. They magic, that the colours, among which red and blue predominate. are of various from which it derives its The present species is vermilion-red, and on the thorax are streaks of specific title of minium, as well as of red. The red colour forms a conspicuous yellow patch on the end of each joint of the abdomen.

regret I must leave these beautiful and

With very great and proceed to another family, which are interesting insects, though interesting in their way, not at all beautiful, and, in that respect to the Dragon-flies. These cannot be compared of insects formed after a very are the Eaphidiidae, a family being lengthened into a procurious fashion, the prothorax being rather broad and much longed neck, and the head are furnished with a long and slightly flattened The females of two blades. The wings are of curved o’vipositor, consisting equal in point of size, and dimensions, and nearly moderate they are very strongly veined. prothorax, the insects are able

Owing to the long neck-like heads about in various directions, from winch to twist their the popular name of Snake-flies. habit they have received habits, and may mostly be seen on They are predaceous in their and small streams, where they can or near the banks of ponds are not at all handsome in pom of find their prey. They confined to greyish-brown mottled colour, their hues being or black. One of the largest British species, with darker brown is shown on Woodcut XXVi . Rhaphidia ophiopsis, feeding upon small

The larva of this insect is predaceous, and even in the la™'

insects. It is long and narrow, prothorax which .s so

shows the elongated who had this creatuie ah , insect. Mr. Westwood,

perfect

states that ‘ it creeps but slowly, but gives to its body violent jerking motions in every direction, somewhat like those of a

serpent.’ In the pupal state, the wings are pressed to the body in such a way that they cover the hind pair of legs. These

larviB may be found under the bark of trees.

The name Raphidia is formed from a Grreek word signifying a needle, and is given to these insects on account of the great elongation of the prothorax. The specific name ophiopsis is also from the Grreek, and signifies ‘ snake-eyed.’ The females of this group have a long and slightly curved ovipositor, formed of two plates.

Oif Woodcut XXVII. Fig. 4 is shown one of our most beautiful British insects. This is the Lacewing-flt {Gh'i'ysopa vulgaris), a representative of the family Hemerobiidse. The wings of this family are large and broad, and pressed against the sides of the body when at rest; the antennee are long, delicate, and many jointed ; and the head is small,'with two very prominent and rounded eyes. The tarsi have five joints. The form of this insect is very accurately given, though it is impossible with the simple black and white of a wood engraving to do justice to the wonderful and delicate beauty of the insect, about which is not one particle either of black or white. Its body, head, and thorax are leaf-green, and its wings are wide, thin, gauzy, and glossed with changing hues of green and pink, according to the angle at which the light them. falls on

Page 50 of 117