33 



strup-liko appendages, tliougli the authorities on the matter made 

 no allusion to such a connection. 



Tie Bragon-Fhj. — Mr. FuUagar read the following paper on 

 the Dragon Fly : — To Avitness tlie metamorphosis of the Dragon 

 FI3' has already been a source of delight to m(! whenever I was 

 able to procure some of their pupas. During the last summer I 

 was unable to get them, but this spring I havf; lieen able to get 

 a considerable number, and have had nearly thirty fully deve- 

 lojicd out of my sjuall a([uarium. ^Vlien the time has an-ived 

 for the change to take place (after being an inhabitant of the 

 water for two years, and is about to become a denizen of the air) 

 the creature climbs up the stalk of a water-plant or weed, and if 

 no plant is found in the middle of the pond suited for the pur- 

 pose it will come to the edge of the pond \\hcre rushes are grow- 

 ing, and climb up some distance f nmi the water, taking care that 

 nothing is in the way t<) obstruct the operation about to take 

 place, or to injure the delicate and tender wings, which are quite 

 soft Avhen first drawn from their cases, for if an injury should 

 be inflicted on them in that state, they would be nnidered useless, 

 and the creature would p(n-ish. "When arrived at a place which 

 is considered suitable for tlie metamorphosis to take place, the 

 creature cautiously climbs up, and firmly clasps the reed with 

 its legs, and gives two or three smart jerks of the body, that 

 the hooks on its feet may perforate the stem, thus making a 

 sure hold that will nut give way during the operatioii. When 

 firmly fixed tlie creature rests for a few minutes, remaining quite 

 still and quiet, then a slight crack is seen slowly to open on the 

 back of the thorax, which enlarges and .soon the head of the 

 Dragon Fly is seen to protrude ; the two fore legs are next seen 

 to be cb'awn out of the pupa case, when the middle and thii'd 

 pair of legs follow : thus the fly continues gradually to draw 

 its body out of the pupa case, and to hang liead downwards. 

 In tliis position it rests f(U' about 10 or l.j minutes, diuing which 

 time the legs (which when first drawn out are (|uite soft) be- 

 come hardened and strong. It is now ready for the next move, 

 which is to turn itself upwards, and lay hold of the head of its 

 now partly empty cases, to Avhich the fly now clings with its 

 clawed feet, and the remaining part of the ])ody is di-awn out, 

 and hangs down in the same position that tin; head had pre- 

 viously occupied, then commences the imfolding of the wings, and 

 the elongating of the body. The unfolding of the wings is truly 

 beautiful, and really marvellous. How a fabric so delicate and 

 intricate can grow to such perfection, Iblded up in a case so small, 

 is indeed enough to excite our wonder and astonishment, and 

 well calculated to fill us with delight when engaged in these ob- 

 servations, seeing that the wing cases measure only \ of an inch 



