DRAGON FLIES. tl 



claspers. Backwards and forwards they darted, 

 one instant so close to the water as to allow the tip 

 of the abdomen to touch it; up into the air for a 

 few feet, then back again, brushing the water once 

 more. This was kept up for over half an hour when 

 finally the pair flew oiT. 



The larva, which lives in water, mud, etc., is a 

 queer looking little creature, possessing a robust 

 body and three pairs of legs. (Plate lo.) The 

 most striking feature about it is the lower 

 lip (Plate II, Fig. 2), which can be thrust out 

 almost half an inch beyond the front of the head. 

 This lip is concave and divided at the outer end 

 into two blades. In shape it varies with the species. 

 By means of it the unwary pond insects are grasped 

 and pulled into the mouth ; when not in use it can 

 be folded most innocently over the front of the 

 face, thus disguising its true use. It is thus termed 

 the "mask." 



The food of the larva consists of anything in the 

 form of animal life which it can seize. Mosquito 

 Lnrvse are apparently much relished. When the 

 ordinary food supply fails, cannibalistic habits are 

 developed, and then the strongest or most cunning 

 alone survive. 



We have watched dragon-fly nymphs in a fish 

 tank made from a lolly jar about 9 inches in dia- 

 meter, with water weeds growing to keep the water 

 fresh. The plants give oi¥ oxygen which is neces- 

 sary both for plant and animal life. Carbonic acid 

 gas (CO2) is given out by (a) breathing of plants, 

 (b) breathing of animals, (c) decay of plants. But 



