ORDER V. NET-WINGED INSECTS. 



217 



other predaceous tribes of this order, to remind one how 

 far these insects excel the Orthoptera in the number and 

 variety of their instincts." .... 

 '' Respectfully yours, 



"Thaddeus William Harkis." 



The Dragon-fly (Libellula). 

 This is, perhaps, the most conspicuous genus of the order 



Figure 57. 



The Libellula. 



Neuroptera, and, as has been seen by the above letter of Dr. 

 Harris, is regarded as the t}''pical genus of the order. On 

 account of the long and slender body, peculiar to the insects 

 of this genus, they have sometimes been called Devil's 

 darning-needles, but more commonly Dragon-flies. The 

 French call them Demoiselles, and the Germans Wasser- 

 jungfern (" Virgins of the Water"). Their hind body is 

 long, slender, and composed of ten rings. They have four 

 transparent, membranaceous wings, which, although not so 

 liandsomely colored as those of butterflies, still are decided- 

 ly pretty, many of them glistening like gold, and all resem- 

 bling richly-embroidered gauze. Some species have brill- 



