DR AGON-FLIES. 21 



appendages are hooked, as long as the 10th segment. The pterostigma 

 surmounts one cellule. 



In the female the expansion of the wings is 1| inches, and the length of 

 the body 1J inches. The red colouring is replaced by yellow on the head 

 and thorax ; the abdomen is bronzy black above and pale yellowish beneath. 



There are 13-14 post-nodal nervules and three cells between the 

 quadrilateral and the nodus. 



There is a variety of the female about the same size 

 as the male, and much resembling an individual of that 

 sex, except that the abdomen is of a duller red with 

 broader black rings, and the general colour of the legs 

 and thorax is darker (see Plate IV., fig. 1). This form 

 is unquestionably a true female, although some doubts 

 have been expressed regarding this, by those who have 

 not had an opportunity of seeing the living insects. I 

 have, however, often captured specimens of this variety 

 connected with specimens of the typical male, and have 

 also observed them depositing eggs. The variety is very 

 much rarer than the ordinary form of the female, although 

 I have usually succeeded in obtaining one or two speci- 

 mens, wherever the dragon-flies were to be found in large 

 numbers. The larva of this insect inhabits most stagnant 

 pools and slow-running streams. It lives concealed 

 amongst various water- weeds, and captures and devours 

 small insects, which it readily seizes by means of its well- 

 developed mask. 



The length of the full-grown nymph including the terminal appendages-, 

 is about | inch. The head is rather broad, somewhat heart-shaped, with 

 the eyes prominent and shining black. The antennas are six-jointed and 

 very slender ; the first joint is short and rather stout, the second slightly 

 longer and thinner, the third joint very slender and the longest of the series, 

 the remaining three joints are also slender and gradually decrease in length. 

 The thorax is not so broad as the head, its central portion is somewhat, 

 elevated. The wing-pads are elongate and conspicuous. The terminal 

 appendages are slightly more than half the length of the abdomen, very 

 broad, and traversed with numerous tracheae ; viewed from above they 

 appear very narrow as their edges only are then visible. The legs are long, 

 rather slender, with the tarsi three-jointed. The general colour of the 

 mature larva is dull greenish-brown, but younger larvae are light green. 



The perfect insect appears about the middle of 

 November, and continues increasing in numbers during 

 the whole of December, but becomes much rarer towards 

 the end of the summer. It is very common in all 

 situations which are well watered, but only flies in the 

 hottest sunshine, and few specimens are to be seen on 

 dull days, even in places where the insect is most 

 abundant during bright sunny weather. 



I have on several occasions observed this dragon-fly 

 engaged in pairing and subsequently depositing its eggs, 



