112 

 must now view them in shapes so distinct and different ft-om their former ones, that they 

 hardly seem to bear any relation to each other, except in their nature and appetites ; for 

 although they appear in a far more elegant dress than when in their caterpillar states, yet 

 these are just the same, the same voracious inclinations subsisting now as formerly ; hunt- 

 ing after, and preying upon, the lesser genera, with the same eagerness and desire as they 

 did when inhabitants of the water. Incredible numbers of small moths, bees, flies with 

 four and two wings, are the daily sacrifices offered to the insatiable appetites of these 

 hungry gluttons ; and where they devoured one insect in the water they now destroy a 

 hundred, if the mildness of the season will permit them to range about in quest of them. 

 In rainy weather they seldom or ever move, nor when the wind is very strong and bois- 

 terous. Indeed, it is not to be wondered at. The small insects, who are their proper 

 food, being by the same reasons prevented from being abroad, consequently are an impe- 

 diment to those motives, that so strongly induce the Libellas to fly about. During such 

 inclement times they generally shelter themselves from the wind, iScc. being suspended by 

 their feet in a perpendicular position on some twig, that is remote and separate from any 

 boughs, waiting in that manner, without motion, for better weather and sunshine. 



" I am strongly inclined to believe, that the greater part, if not all the Libellas, are 

 two years in passing from the egg to the complete animal. But as this is a circumstance 

 I do not remember to have seen in any author, I shall not attempt to establish my opinion 

 as an absolute truth. I shall mention my reasons for this belief, and leave it to every person 

 either to confirm or confute it, as his observations shall hereafter give him an opportunity. 

 " In order to do this, it would be necessary I should mention the times when each 

 species first makes its appearance here in England. But as this would not only take up 

 too much of the reader's time, (there being at least twenty-two of them) but it would like- 

 wise be impossible to be understood by any, but the experienced adept, unless I gave figures 

 of them all ; I shall therefore content mvself with observing, that the Libella figured in 

 Plate 45. Fig. 5. though found in America, about New York, &c. is nearly the same with 

 our English one, differing but a very little from it, and which I have inserted chiefly as an 

 instance to illustrate this subject. Ours is the last species but one, that comes forth in the 

 summer, breeding only once a year, appearing about the "-ind of August. Therefore, to 

 elucidate this point, suppose we allow a fortnight or three weeks from that time for all the 

 Libellas of this species to make their appearance in, that nature intended should be bred 

 that year ; but in order to set this matter in the strongest light, I shall allow a month to 

 that purpose. If, therefore, the Libellas were only one year in passing from the egg to 

 the perfect state, we might justly conclude, that after the 2nd of September, (a month from 

 the time of their first appearmg) all of this species would have arrived to their complete 

 states ; and that none of their caterpillars could be found in the waters after that time, by 

 reason they had all quitted that element, and were become flying insects. This, I say, is 

 the conclusion we might fairly, and without presuming on the matter, make. But this is 



