DRAGON-FLY. 
245 
larva,’ or rather pupa; but in the space of about 
half an hour they are fully expanded, and have 
acquired the solidity and strength necessary for 
flight. This curious process of the evolution or 
birth of the Libellula generally takes place in the 
morning, and during a clear sunshine. The re- 
maining part of the aniniars life is but short in 
comparison with that which it passed in its aquatic 
state; the frosts of the close of autumn destroying 
the whole race. They are also the prey of several 
sorts of birds. It is impossible not to be struck 
with admiration on contemplating the changes of 
the Libellula, which, while an inhabitant of the 
water, would perish by any long exposure to the 
air, while the complete animal, once escaped from 
the pupa, would as effectually be destroyed by 
submersion under the water, of which not an 
hour before, it was the legitimate or natural in- 
habitant. 
The Libellula dep'essa is a smaller or shorter 
species than the preceding, though with a consider- 
ably broader body in proportion. The male is of a 
bright sky-blue, with the sides of the body yellow; 
the female of a fine brown or bay, with yellow 
sides also: the wings in both sexes are trans- 
parent, except at the shoulders, where they are 
each marked by a broad bed or patch of brown 
with a stripe of yellow: the tips of each wing 
have also a small oblong-square black spot on the 
outer margin. The larva of this species is of a 
shorter form than that of the preceding, and is of 
a greenish brown colour. 
