276 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



(8) Mschna grandis. — If an empty nymph-case referable to 

 this species found on July 14th may be regarded as belonging to 

 the present season, ^-E. grandis was then on the wing. The first 

 imago was seen on August 4th, and several matured specimens 

 were taken on the 11th, when the females were ovipositing. On 

 August 6th a female nymph was found clinging to the stem of a 

 plant ; it was dead but still fresh, having probably left the water 

 during the preceding night or in the early morning, and perished 

 of the cold then prevailing. It had partly disclosed the imago, 

 and the anterior pair of bright yellow thoracic stripes were very 

 conspicuous. The species remained on the wing longer than 

 usual, specimens being taken at as late a date as September 

 17th. 



(9) Sgmpetrum striolatinn. — On July 20th we put up a soft- 

 bodied, freshly emerged imago, doubtless of this species, which 

 flew away across a pond. It was immediately seen and eagerly 

 pursued by a sparrow, and a second sparrow quickly joined in 

 the chase. As far as could be seen, the dragonfly fell a victim 

 to the birds, but in any cate the pursuit was very keen. Another 

 specimen was taken on the same date, and thereafter immature 

 individuals occurred sparingly until September 17th. On the 

 8th of that month the earliest matured examples were met with, 

 including some brilliantly coloured males. The latest capture 

 was made on September 22ud. 



(1 0) Mschna cganea. — The first imago taken was a very im- 

 mature male, which was resting on rushes bordering a pond, and 

 had probably emerged from the water that day (July 21st). 

 Close by was found a nym[>h-skin which evidently belonged to 

 the imago previously obtained, for both had the extremity of the 

 abdomen twisted to the right. The species never became com- 

 mon, and the last specimen was taken on September 22nd. 



(11) Anax imperator. — Two rather worn males, the only 

 specimens noticed during the year, were taken on August 11th, 

 the latest date for the species of which any record is before us. 



(12) Lestes sponsa was found to be very abundant near Epping 

 on August 15th, when a female was taken measuring only 32 mm. 

 in length and 41'5 mm. in expanse. In other parts of the Forest 

 district specimens occurred singly on August 2oth and September 

 17th and 22nd. 



(13) Sgmpetram sangidncnm. — Two males were taken on 

 September 15th ; in one of them the wings were much frayed, 

 and the other is the subject of the accompanying figure. As will 

 be seen, the margin of the left hind wing comprises two distinct 

 curves of unequal length and convexity, meeting in a strongly 

 marked notch at the end of the median sector. A slight notch 

 is normally present in the wings of large dragonflies and in 

 those of some other Neuroptera, but the example before us recalls 

 in a striking manner the notch, at the corresponding nervure, 



