168 [December, 



INSTRUCTIONS FOE THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF 



NEUROPTEROUS INSECTS. 



BY ROBERT m'lACHLAN, F. L. S. 



{continued from jiage 104). 



SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. 



Dragon-jiies {TiiheTlulidaB) . 



I commence the special portion o£ these ' Instructions ' by a 

 consideration of the LiheUulidce (using the term in its broad sense), 

 partly because they are the most familiar Neuropterous insects, and 

 also because this division of the subject requires to be rather more 

 detailed than will be necessary in most of those that follow ; the 

 sequence of the groups being a matter of little consequence. 



The larger species (Libellula, j^schna, Anax, &c.) force them- 

 selves upon one's notice by their bold and fearless flight when engaged 

 in 'hawking' in the bright sunshine. Some also (e.g. jS^schna graoulis) 

 delight in the long twilight of a fine autiimn evening ; but it is useless 

 to expect to see dragon-flies at large in dull weather ; they may then be 

 occasionally found at rest, and j)icked up with the fingers. As water- 

 loving insects par excellence, the vicinity of that element is of course 

 the most likely situation in which to seek them. But many carry on 

 their collecting operations far from water, and broad heathy commons, 

 or shady lanes (according to the species), are often enlivened by the 

 presence of these tyrants of the insect-race. Boggy moors, treacherous 

 to the footsteps of the too bold entomologist, and rocky mountain- 

 sides, are peculiarly favourable localities. Never chase a large dragon- 

 fly ; such a proceeding is useless ' waste of tissue,' to say nothing of 

 the chance of sinking to the middle in a bog, or coming violently to 

 grief over herbage-hidden rocks and cavities. "When one is seen 

 fi'equenting a certain spot, wait till some tempting prey bring the 

 pursuer to within reach, then, by a dexterous stroke of the net, secure 

 it. Many species shew especial predilection for even a particular 

 twig, and although they may make long and varied excursions, they 

 will return again and again : so be not too precipitate, remembering 

 that if one be struck but not captured, or sufiiciently scared, it -vvdll 

 go away at a pace defying pursuit, and not again put in an appearance. 

 Mr. Wallace, in his ' Malay Archipelago,' relates that at one of the 

 islands (Lombock) visited, and where large insects are used as food, 

 the natives catch dragon-flies by means of limed twigs, the habit of 

 haunting particular spots being no doubt taken advantage of. I have 

 frequently, when out walking without a net, knocked down the large 

 species with my stick, and specimens so caught often sustain little or 



