DRAGON FLIES. ^S 



surrounded by flying ants. Before many minutes 

 had passed, scores of dragon-flies began their aerial 

 attack. They reminded us of a flight of airships 

 making war. The battle was short, for the fight 

 was unequal, and then little or nothing remained 

 to tell of the former existence of the ants. 



The small, slender-bodied dragon-flies (Zygop- 

 tera) differ from the larger type in a few essentials. 

 The hind wings are not larger than the front pair, 

 the eyes are smaller, and stand out like beads from 

 tlie head, the eggs are deposited in the tissue of 

 water plants ; when at rest the wings as a rule are 

 held above the body of the insect and at right 

 angles to it. These are gregarious, being found in 

 great numbers on reeds, etc.. near ponds. 



A pretty, delicate-looking damsel-fly (Austrolestes 

 leda) is one of the most common ; another is Aus- 

 trolestes analis. These measure about i} to 2 inches 

 across the wings. The general colour is brown 

 with blue or pink markings on the abodmen. 



When egg-laying, the female of Austrolestes 

 makes slits, following a zigzag pattern in the stem 

 or leaf of a water plant. The abdomen is curved 

 round in inserting the eggs. The male may aid 

 the female in the process of laying the eggs by 

 holding her round the neck by means of tail pieces 

 or anal claspers. 



It has been observed that sometimes the male 

 and female dragon-fly go down into the water for 

 a few inches when heavy rains have flooded ponds. 



Whether it is usual, or whether it is in order 

 to be sure to have the eggs within normal water- 



