108 



" They have been variously named by different authors, owing perhaps to the time 

 when they wrote, or the progress natural history had made in the world. Some have 

 called them by the name of Dragon Fly, others Adder Bolt, Balance Fly, Perla, Libellula 

 or Libella. I shall prefer the last, as conveying an idea well known to English adepts. 

 The caterpillars of them all live in ponds and stagnant waters (that are undisturbed by 

 cattle) during the greatest part of their lives, and make their appearance under three 

 general forms. The first is shewn by Fig. 1. 1. ; the second by Fig. 2. ; and the third by 

 Fig. 3. See Plate 47. As these are the shapes in which they all appear, it will not be 

 improper to mention each particularly. 



"The two caterpillars at Fig. 1. 1. Plate 47, belong only to or produce those that sit 

 at rest, with their wings erect, (see Plate 48. Fig. '2.), and differ from both the others not 

 only in size but in the roundness and slendemess of their bodies ; at the extremity whereof 

 they are furnished with three tails, each of which upon examination being found to be a 

 kind of feather, and is an appendage that neither of the others have. Their behaviour 

 also in the water is different from the others, being enabled to twist and bend their bodies 

 in a more circular manner. [Subfamily Agrionides.] 



" The second sort of caterpillars, at Plate 47. Fig. 2. are much shorter and thicker in 

 their bodies than either of the others, producing those Libellas with flat bodies, as Plate 47. 

 Fig. 4. and 6. and Plate 48. Fig. 1. and 5. These are, of all others, the most disagreeable 

 in their appearance ; most of them having their bodies and legs very rough and shaggy, 

 and of the exact colour of mud. Others appear of a dirty green, and very unpleasing hue, 

 a colour that in general reigns among them all ; for none can boast of any beautiful appear- 

 ance while in this state, unless the different shapes here exhibited can be called so. Indeed 

 the beauty and symmetry, so apparent in their complete states, make ample amends for the 

 want of it in this ; all of them in general being then very beautiful, discovering colours 

 superior to art. [Subfamily, Libellulides. Genus, Libellula.] 



"The caterpillars of the third sort (see Plate 47. Fig. 3.) are very different from the 

 preceding, being the size of the figure, with the abdomen flat at bottom and rounding at 

 top, longer and slenderer than those at Fig. '2. but not so much as those at Fig. 1. 1, 

 These produce those large Libellas with long slender bodies, who sit at rest with their 

 wings expanded, as Plate 47. Fig. 5. [Subfamily, Libellulides. Genus, vEshna.] 



" Under these three forms are all the caterpillars of Libellas found, there being but 

 little difference in the colours or marks of the respective tribes ; the various sizes and 

 shapes being the chief observable circumstances attending them. They are all furnished 

 with six legs, and have each of them four little membranaceous substances issuing from 

 the back, or upper part of the thorax, that are the follicles, or cases, wherein the wings 

 are inclosed. When the young caterpillars issue from their conflnement in the eggs, there 

 is no appearance of these cases, nor till a considerable time after ; but as they arrive to a 

 maturer state they become more conspicuous, and, like the young leaves of trees that open 



