IMJIAX DRAGONFLIES. 463 



that organ is erect and gnidiiig it along its grooved, under-surface in the 

 act of c'opuhition. All these multiform organs are not present in the whole 

 of the species but as a rule, a pair of tentaculio, the penis, bulb and sheath 

 may be distinguished. 



Female : The female organs, (Plate IX, fig. 8.) are situated on the ven- 

 tral surface of the !>th abdominal segment. They consist of a •' vulvar 

 scale,"' which is reall}' a paired organ made up of a pair of triaiigidar plates, 

 lying when at rest, either in close apposition or slightly separated and form- 

 ing a more or less projecting, triangular, wedge-shaped instrument. 

 Concealed between the two plates, in some species, especially in the 

 Aeschnines, lies a long, curved, slim, pointed hook, the "ovipositor," whose 

 functions are probably connected with oviposition as will be hereafter 

 shown. Posterior to the vulvar scale are two pointed bodies, surmounted 

 by a tine brush of stiff bristles. The anal appendages of the female are 

 usually considerably smaller than those of the male. 



The methods of Copulation and Oviposition. 



The sexual act in Dragontiies is apparently a very complicated one and 

 as yet cannot be said to bo correctly completel}^ interpreted. 



The first act of copulation is performed by the male, which whilst flying, 

 curves the anal end of its abdomen under itself so as to bring in close ap- 

 position, the ventral surfaces of the I'nd and 9th abdominal segments. 

 This act accomplished, it is thought that there is a transference of seminal 

 fluid from the seminal vesicle to the 2nd segment, probably to the part 

 known as the bulb. This act occupies but a brief space of time but the 

 insect may be seen to repeat it again and again whilst hovering in the air. 

 (Note. — I have observed this phenomenon through strong field-glasses and 

 was not altogether satisfied that the act was a sexual one, particularly as 

 I have observed the female performing a similar act, but failing the 

 explanation given, it is difficult to explain how the fluid reaches the 2nd 

 segment). 



The female on first emergence from the nj^mph, has no deve- 

 loped ovee in its ovaries, these taking some days or possibly weeks 

 to form. During this virginal stage, it retires into the jungle or at 

 least is rarely found in the neighbourhood of water, in which places it is 

 liable to be constantly mobbed by the watching males. The ovaries 

 after a while are observed to be full of ovie and run the full length of 

 the abdomen, appearing as long creamy, opaque masses. The female 

 now resorts to the neighbourhood of water which is to form the future 

 home of its offspring and here it first makes the acquaintance of the 

 male. Over any pool or river in India there are tisually to be seen a 

 large number of Odonata engaged in ceaseless evoluticms, apparently 

 seeking for food but in reality on the lookout for females which their 

 instincts tell them must come there to deposit their eggs. The advent 

 of a female is the signal for a rush of the opposite sex to the spot and the 

 selection having been made by the female or fought for by the most robust 

 male, the latter seizes the former by means of its anal appendages, by the 

 prothorax. In some species, the female rests whilst the male hovers over 

 it and seizes it by its appendages, but as a general rule, union takes place 

 in the air. (Plate VIII.) For a time the pair engage in flight, the male 

 apparently towing the female or both flying strongly but after a short 

 time, the second act of copulation takes place. The female now curves 

 its abdomen under that of the male so as to bring its 9th abdominal 

 segment in close apposition with the sexual organs on the under surface of 

 the male's 2nd abdominal segment. A close union takes place by means 

 of the complicated apparatus but an actual penetration does not take 

 place. Whilst linked up in the first stage, the female extrudes a large 



