LESTES 271 
a large stigma which has a good brace vein. Vein M; rises several cells 
beyond the nodus. The abdomen is very long and slender. 
This is a cosmopolitan genus well represented in our fauna. The 
adults fly little over open water but seek the seclusion of marshes or 
the closer vegetation of reed choked streams. In the midst of their 
shadowy environment they are difficult to see when at rest but they are 
easy to capture when they are discovered. Our species are closely allied. 
The males are separable as follows: 
KEY TO THE SPECIES* 
Adults 
1. Males 
1 Inferior appendages longer than the superiors. . .inequalis, p. 275 
Inferior appendages shorter than the superiors............... 2 
2 Inferiors less than one-half the length of the superiors........ 3. 
Inferiors more than one-half the length of the superiors....... 4, 
3 Wings flavescent. Dorsum of thorax metallic green............ 
So SEL ERS LAN a a Tg eta ae as te era eurinus, p. 275 
Wings clear. Dorsum of thorax dark brown... .congener, p. 275 
4 Inferiors sigmoid, roughly S-shaped; their apices curved in an 
opposite direction to the superiors... ...0....0.. 63.006. 006%- 5. 
Inferiors not sigmoid; their apices curved, if at all, in the same 
direction Ag the SUPCMOPMSs sa... tse sss Meta ahccmec eed eee 6. 
5 Inferiors stout. Superiors with the mesal margin roughly denticu- 
late, following the basal tooth. Dorsum of thorax dark brown 
Beret a, ln gra tat) dn OTS ee CO aa ES ER pennies ee unguiculatus, p. 276 
Inferiors slender. Superiors with mesal margin not visibly denti- 
culate following the basal tooth. Dorsum of thorax pale with 
metallic green spots on either side, or entirely dull black in old 
BE SUE Tee FNRI UE EE A I, GSO Ae sigma, p. 277 
6 Superiors with a distinct basal and apical tooth on the mesal mar- 
UID ee Oeste cei bea a) ae Se dona hous leek ROI aes ip 
Superiors with a distinct basal tooth only, followed by a serrated 
margin of greater or less development.................... 10. 
7 Basal tooth of the mesal margin of the superiors, longer than the 
tooth ofthe apieal thirds «<0 .¢.ret. cps BS erates Baas 8. 
Basal tooth of the mesal margin of the superiors as long as or 
distinctly shorter than the tooth of the apical third......... 9. 
* Prepared by C. Francis Byers. 
