88 DRAGON FLIES VS. MOSQUITOES. 



cope with the mosquito and fly as the dragon fly. Both 

 of the former remain, for the most part, close to the 

 ground, concealed among the heavy foliage of summer, 

 and comparatively few fall a prey to the dragon fly, which 

 is able to capture only those which inadvertently thrust 

 themselves in its way. 



In the early part of July, both by day and night, when 

 mosquitoes swarm in myriad millions, making the life of 

 the average man miserable, scarcely a dragon fly is to be 

 seen; and, even at its most plentiful season (July 15th to 

 August 15th), the few hours in the daytime limited to tine 

 weather render it a feeble combatant against mosquitoes, 

 which, largely concealed during the day, pour out in 

 countless hordes at night, in all changes of temperature, 

 while the members of their giant enemy are stiff with the 

 evening dews. Many other objections to dragon flies as 

 a means for the destruction of other insects are readily de- 

 ducible from the facts already stated. 



2. AT ALL SEASONS. 



The reasons stated in 1 apply with equal force to 2, ex- 

 cept so far, of course, as continuity of appearance is con- 

 cerned ; but it is proper to add that, however easy it might 

 be to produce the mature dragon fly at any particular 

 season, its activity would be regulated by the weather, and 

 it is doubtful if the period of its usefulness could be 

 greatly extended. Assuming that it would be content to 

 remain within a dwelling and capture such insects as 

 might be attracted thereto, refraining from passing through 

 an open window or door, even then the disagreeable rust- 

 ling of its wings, multiplied six or seven fold, would be 

 an intolerable nuisance, and the bodies of these short 



