DKAGONFLIES IN 1902 AND 1903. 31 



L. quadrimaculata clinging to the empty nymph-skin two or three 

 yards from the brink of the Black Pond. 



Libellula fulva has occurred more plentifully than used to be 

 the case, probably because it is better known than it was, and is 

 more sought for. Major Kobertson has taken several during the 

 last season or two near Pokesdown. Mr. Edelsten took the 

 species in the Norfolk Broads in 1902, from June 26th-30th ; in 

 1903, June 18th-22nd. Mr. Porritt also took twelve in the Nor- 

 folk Broads from June 29th to July 1st, 1903. It is possible 

 that this dragonfly breeds in rivers rather than in ponds, judging 

 from some of the localities in which it has been taken. In this 

 connection it should be noted that M. Piene Martin gives as the 

 habitat of the nymph in France — " etangs, rivieres, et surtout 

 ruisseaux lents." 



As regards Orthetnim cancellatum, one male was taken at 

 Wisley Pond, Surrey, on July 5th, 1902, and Mr. Edelsten took 

 it in the Norfolk Broads from June 26th-30th, 1902, and from 

 June 18th-22nd, 1903. Apparently this still remains a rather 

 uncommon species. 



In 1902 Major Robertson found Oxygastra curtisii in fair 

 numbers in its one locality. He took his first on June 27th, and 

 the last on July 24th. The species was also found in 1903. 



Early in the morning of June 7th, 1902, or during the 

 previous night, a fine female C or duleg aster annulatus emerged 

 from a New Forest nymph secured about the last day of April. 

 From the beginning of May, when it was put into a fish-globe in 

 Kingston-on-Thames, it was remarkably sluggish, as a rule 

 scarcely moving a limb even if touched. A day or so before 

 emergence it kept its head and the upper part of the thorax out 

 of the water. It was given no food after capture. On August 

 10th one or two half-grown nymphs were found in the New 

 Forest, shewing that the insect passes two seasons at least in 

 that stage. On July 13th in the same year a male was taken 

 (A. Lane) by the side of the Byfleet Canal, near the station. It 

 was a good specimen, and adds another to the meagre list of 

 Surrey localities for this grand insect. 



On August 5th, 1903, a very blue female Anax imperator was 

 taken in the New Forest. The next day a male and a female 

 were taken at Pokesdown, and again the female was bluish. 



Of /Esclina mixta, I have only two captures to record, both 

 being in 1902 — a female on Esher Common (F. Carter) on Sept. 

 4th, and a male (Pi. South) two days later in the same district. 

 The species seems to have become scarce again. Is this due to 

 the late inclement seasons ? J^. juncea seems to have quite dis- 

 appeared from the Black Pond ; in fact, I have but one record — 

 a female near Pokesdown, August 2nd, 1902. /E. cyanea has 

 been common enough. On August 6th, 1902, I came across a 

 male flying at Hurst Hill in the New Forest a few minutes before 



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