244 
DRAGON-FLY. 
wings appear on the back of such as are advanced 
to what may be called the pupa or chrysalis state, 
in the form of a pair of oblong scales or processes, 
and the head is armed with a most singular organ 
for seizing its prey; viz. a kind of proboscis, of a 
flattened form, and furnished with a joint in the 
middle, the end being much dilated, and armed 
with a pair of strong hooks or prongs. This pro- 
boscis, when the animal is at rest, is folded or 
turned up, in such a manner as to lap over the 
face like a mask; but when the creature sees any 
insect which it means to attack, it springs sud- 
denly forwards, and by stretching forth the jointed 
proboscis, readily obtains its prey. These larvae 
are excessively voracious, and like those of the 
Dytisci, commit great havoc among the smaller 
water insects in general. Linnaeus calls them 
“ Crocodili crudeles insectomm aqiiatilium'' They 
continue in this their larva and pupa state for two 
years, when, having attained their full size, they 
prepare for their ultimate change; and creeping 
up the stem of some water-plant, and grasping it 
with their feet, they make an effort, by which the 
skin of the back and head is forced open, and the 
inclosed Libellula gradually emerges; it first puts 
forth its head and wings, and afterwards draws 
out the body, in the manner represented on the 
annexed plate. The wings, at this early period 
of exclusion, like those of butterflies, are very 
short, tender, and contracted, all the ramifications 
or fibres having been compressed within the small 
compass of the oblong scales on the back of the 
