362 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



and thorax are of no great size, and if those portions of the body 

 alone were seen, anyone would attribute them to a Dragon Fly 

 of ordinary size, scarcely larger than our own blue and green 

 Demoiselle. 



But the abdomen is drawn out to such a wonderful length, 

 being nearly six times as long as the head and thorax together, 

 and the wings are so wide and ample, that it is really wonderful 

 how the small thorax can contain muscular power sufficient to 



(Dark brown patch on the winRS.) 



work these enormous wings, to sustain the leverage of the long 

 abdomen, to control the powerful and tightly-clinging legs, and 

 yet to afford sufficient space for the all-permeating air-vessels, 

 the gullet — which is in constant requisition — and the great 

 nerve-centres which supply all the body with sensation and 

 motive power. No one who has not been in the habit of dis- 

 secting insects can appreciate even the mcclianical difficulties 



