98 British Dragoufltcs. 



6 and 7 ; very short lateral spines on 8, rather longer 

 on 9 ; segment 9 slightly truncated behind, 10 ver\- 

 small. Anal appendages small ; upper one triangular, 

 pointed ; laterals shorter and slender ; lozver ones rather 

 longer than upper, pointed. [Description made from 

 empty skins found on Esher Common, July 18, 1897, 

 when the species was emerging.] 



Date. 



This species usually first appears at the beginning 

 of July in Surrey, though I have a record for it as 

 early as June 6 in Delamere Forest. It continues on 

 the wing till well into October, my latest capture being 

 October 17, 1897, in Surrey. It is worthy of note 

 that a female was taken in 1898 as late as Sept. 25 

 with the immature colouring. 



Habits. 



Generall}^ speaking, the flight of S. seotieiiui is not 

 long-continued, and it has the habit of often returning 

 to the same spot, though when thoroughly disturbed it 

 sometimes soars a\va\' out of sight amongst the trees. 

 Its capture is not alwa}'s an easy matter, for if of short 

 duration its flight is rapid, and the dark colour of the 

 insect does not allow the e\-e easily to follow its mo\'e- 

 ments. On hot days it delights to settle on the tops of 

 broken reeds and sticks, on the trunks of trees, or even on 

 the bare ground, to sun itself Let the observer remain 

 perfectly still, and his hand or some light part of his 

 dress may induce the insect to display the greatest 

 familiarity, to be repaid of course b)" immunit\- from 

 capture. 



