DBAGON-FLIES. 13 



with that of the hind-wing, three or four rows of post-triangular cells ; 

 nodal sector undulated beyond the middle. Hind-wings with 5 ante-nodal 

 and !> to 8 post-nodal nervules, the first three post-nodais not continuous 

 across the lower costal space ; triangle free. 

 "Distribution. — Cosmopolitan " (Hutton). 



SYMPETRUM BIPUNCTATUM. 



Libellula (Dlplax) bipunctata, Brauer, Reise der 

 " Novara," Neuroptera, p. 26 (1868). 



(Plate II., fig. 1). 



" Head with the lips reddish, the front rather golden, with a narrow 

 black line to the base of the antennae ; vertex yellow, the occipital triangle 

 reddish. Thorax reddish, the sides yellowish, with black spots. Basal 

 segment of the abdomen with a black spot on each side, the second or thin) 

 with a black spot in the middle. Wings hyaline, the posterior pair yellowish 

 at the base ; costa yellow at the base ; pterostigma margined with black. 



"Male with the legs black, the coxae reddish, femora and tibiae yellow 

 on the outside. Pterostigma reddish ; 9 or 10 ante-nodals. 



'• Female with the legs yellowish, the femora black on the outside and 

 the tibiae on the inside ; tarsi black. Pterostigma yellow ; 8 or 9 ante- 

 nodals. 



" Length of the body, 1J inches ; expanse of wings 2 J inches. 



" Locality. — New Caledonia. 



" Variety nova-zealandiee, McLachlan, Ent. Mo. Mag., 1894, p. 271. 



Differs from the type chiefiy in the greater extension of yellow at the base 

 of the wings and its deeper tint. In the anterior wings of the female this 

 colour extends to the second ante-nodal, to the arculus, and to near the end 

 of the lower basal cell ; and in the posterior wings it forms a triangular 

 basal space reaching the triangle and continued in an oblique manner to 

 the anal margin, some distance below the end of the membranule " 

 (Hutton). 



This very pretty dragon-fly may easily be distinguished 

 from any of our other red species by its larger size and 

 stouter build. The yellow colouring at the base of the 

 wings is also a good distinctive character. It is very 

 uncertain in its appearance, but has been recorded from 

 the following localities in the North Island, i.e., Auckland, 

 RiOtorua, Lake Papaitonga (near Ohau, Manawatu) and 

 Paikakariki. In February, 1887, I observed it in swarms 

 at the last-named locality, and although on numerous 

 subsequent visits I have specially looked for it, I have 

 never a^ain seen it. 



Tribe GOMPHINA. 



" Eyes large, separated ; apices of the triangles of the wings directed 

 outwards ; the quadrangle without nervules ; wings unequal, the hinder 

 pair broader. 



