356 MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 



distinguished, particularly in jEshna and Libellula, and 

 such the force of the muscles that move them, that they 

 seem never to be wearied with flying. I have ob- 

 served one of the former genus sailing for hours over 

 a piece of water — sometimes to and fro, and sometimes 

 wheeling from side to side ; and all the while chasing, 

 capturing, and devouring the various insects that came 

 athwart its course, or driving away its competitors — 

 without ever seeming tired, or inclined to alight. 

 Another species (JEshna variegata) very common in 

 lanes and along hedges, which flies like the Ortho- 

 ptera, in a waving line, is equally alert and active after 

 its prey. This, however, often alights for a moment, 

 and then resumes its gay excursive flights. The spe- 

 cies of the genus Agrion cut the air with less velocity ; 

 but so rapid is the motion of their wings, that they be- 

 come quite invisible. Hawking always about for prey, 

 the Agrions, from the variety of the colours of different 

 individuals, form no uninteresting object during a sum- 

 mer stroll. With respect to the mode of flight of the 

 other neuropterous tribes I have nothing to remark ; 

 for that of the Ephemerce, which has been most noticed, 

 I shall consider under another head. 



The next order of insects, the Ilj/)nenoptera, attract 

 also general attention as fliers, and from our earliest 

 years. The ferocious hornet, with its trumpet of ter- 

 ror ; the intrusive and indomitable wasp ; the booming 

 and pacific humble-bee, the frequent prey of merciless 

 school-boys ; and that universal favourite, the indus- 

 trious inhabitant of the hive, — all belonging to it, — are 

 familiar to every one. And in summer-time there is 

 scarcely a flower or leaf in field or garden, which is 



