1>EM0ISELLE DEAGON-FLY. 277 



Our next species is that which is represented on Plate VIII. 

 Fig. 3. Its name is Libellula depressa, and it is generally 

 accepted as the typical species of the family. In the insects of 

 this genus the ocelli are set in a triangle, the body is mostly 

 broad and flattened, and the anal angle of the lower wings is 

 rounded. The present species is not so handsome in point of 

 colour as the preceding, but is yet adorned with a delicate 

 blueish tint, looking in life very much as if the body had been 

 first painted blue, and then dusted very finely with pearl- 

 powder. The upper part of the thorax is yellow. The dark 

 spots at the bases of both pairs of wings are deep rich chestnut 

 brown. 



This is a wonderfully active insect, and, probably on account 

 of its short body, it has a way of darting boldly among the 

 branches of trees and shrubs in order to chase its prey. When 

 thus engaged, and with prey in sight, it becomes so much 

 engaged in pursuit that it can be easily captured in the net, 

 though at other times it is very wary, and will seldom permit 

 the net to approach within striking distance. The larva of this 

 insect is shown at Fig. 4 at the bottom of the page, and at 

 Fig. 3a is represented the escape of the perfect insect from the 

 pupal skin. 



Next come the Agrionides, two of which are shown on the 

 same page. At Fig. 5 is shown the beautiful Demoiselle 

 Dragon-fly {Calopteryx virgo). In the insects of this genus there 

 is no ' stigma,' or dark spot on the outer edge of the wings. 

 This species is remarkable for the very great difference in colour 

 between the sexes. The females, one of which is here figured, 

 are totally green, both wings and body, whereas the males are 

 deep-blue, with black patches on the wings. In some places 

 these insects absolutely swarm, and about Oxford they may 

 be found in the greatest profusion, hovering over the many 

 streams and ditches which intersect the country, and givino* 

 almost a tropical beauty to the scene, as they flit about with 

 the sunshine glittering on their richly-tinted bodies and 

 wings. 



An example of the typical genus Agrion minium is given 

 on Plate VIII, Fig. 6. There is no difficulty in distinguishing 

 the members of this genus from other Dragon-flies. The 



