716 A NEW SPECIES OP NANNOPHLEBIA, 



(spring and summer) of a single species also cannot be enter- 

 tained, even if N. eludens were to be found further southwards, 

 because of the very distinct differences already enumerated. 



The discovery of this species makes it appear to me more than 

 ever probable that the three forms, now classed as subspecies by 

 Dr. Ris, must be regarded as distinct species. But to settle this 

 point satisfactorily, we require much more material from many 

 localities. 



Life-History. — Along the beautiful Bellinger River, the females 

 fly very rapidly, and oviposit by dashing in close to the edge, wash- 

 ing the ova out by brushing the abdomen rapidly on the surface of 

 the water. This action is somewhat similar to that of Cordulephya 

 9, but is not carried out so furtively. They are very difficult to 

 catch Avhile ovipositing. I knocked one into the water, but it rose 

 quickly and flew away; while the only one I actually caught, had 

 not been ovipositing, and had no eggs inside her. 



Although most of the specimens seen were evidently quite 

 mature, I secured two larval skins on the reeds and grass border- 

 ing the river. The first was taken about 6 a.m. on October 30th. 

 The temperature was then about 95° Fahr., and dragonflies began 

 to fly actively soon after sunrise; though by 10 a.m., (the tempei-a- 

 ture then reaching 104°) all signs of donate life had vanished. 

 A newly-emerged NannopJilehia flew up into the trees from a point 

 about a yard in front of me, and although I could not secure the 

 imago, I soon found the larval skin quite close by. A second skin 

 was found on a grass-stem only a few feet away. 



These exuviae are of great interest, as they throw some light on 

 the phylogenetic relationship of the Libelhdince with the Corduli- 

 ince. Exactly how far this bears out existing theories, it is difficult 

 to say, because it is not easy to decide what larval characters ought 

 properly to be regarded as Libelluline, and what as Corduline. I 

 propose now to give a careful description of the exuviae, and then 

 to consider how far it combines the characters of the two sub- 

 families: — Nymph 9. (Plate Ixxiv,, figs. 1-2): Total letigth 13 

 mm. Colour almost uniform dull brownish all over, except legs, 

 wliicli are spotted with darker brown. Head small, 1'5 x 3-7 mm., 



