54 



is still increased by three simple eyes, or ocelli, situated on the upper surface of the head. 

 From the front part cf the head project two short tapering antennje. The mouth occupies 

 the front surface of the head, and is a most formidable structure. The upper lip is broad 

 and conceals very powerful toothed organs, called mandibles ; the other orsrans of the mouth 

 are also armed with strong teeth which enable the creature to satisfy its carnivorous desires. 

 The most remarkable portion of the mouth, however, is the lower lip, a large, flat, lobed 

 organ, closing the mouth from the under side, and which may be projected forward to a 

 comparatively great distance when attacking other insects. 



The thorax, or middle portion of the body, is three or four times as long as the head, 

 and very much greater in diameter. It resembles the head in colour, being of a medium 

 chocolate shade, and is sparsely clothed with very short hairs of the same hue. 



The abdomen, or posterior part of L. trimacnlata tapers very gradually to the end, 

 and is much smaller than the thorax in diameter, but more than twice its length. The 

 colour is slightly paler, and is relieved by a line of yellowish blotches along each side, 

 which gradually becomes smaller in size toward the end of the body. The upper surface 

 is arched, while the under is flattened. 



The legs are six in number, and are attached three to each side of the lower surface 

 of the thorax. 



The wings, which are four in number, are attached two to each side of the upper 

 part of the thorax, and are about one and a quarter inches long, and three-eighths to 

 nearly half an inch in breadth ; the front ones being slightly the narrowest. The sub- 

 stance of the wings is a very delicate network covered by a thin transparent membrane, 

 having a shining surface. From the place of attachment of each wing, there proceeds a 

 narrow elongated patch of a deep brown colour, while from about the middle of the wings 

 there is a large irregular patch of the same colour, which extends completely across. The 

 structure of the wings combines great strength with lightness, thereby enabling the in- 

 sect to fly with very, great rapidity. Their shining surface, transparency and brilliant 



colouring in this and other members 

 of the same order, combine to give 

 them a beautiful appearance when fly- 

 ing in the bright sunshine, and evi- 

 dently suggested the popular names 

 given to them by the French and 

 Germans. 



There are several other members 

 of the same group which are more or 

 less common in various parts of the 

 country. 



Lihdlula quadrimaculata, the four- 

 spotted Dragon fly, (Fig. 44.) is seen 

 on the wing in June, flying through 

 dry pine woods far from any standing 

 water. 



Another very common Dragon- 



Fig. 41. 



fly is the ruby Dragon-fly Diplax rubicundula, which^is yellowish red. 



Fig. ir,. 



Fig. 40. 



