332 



fio.n an inch to an inch and three quarters in length, according to the 

 species, and some are perhaps smaller than this. 



Of the genus L^>stes, I have just two species; L. loiguiculata, 

 Hag., and L. eurina, S.iy. The latter is an addition to the Canadian 

 list not having been recorded before. These insects are so closely 

 allied to those of the following genus, Agrion — the only distinctions 

 being a slight difference in the length of the ahdoaien which is in 

 favour of Lestes, and some difference in the form and venation of the 

 wings — th-it my remarks on the Agrions as regards size, habits and 

 geJieral aspect will apply equally to them. 



Agrion putridupi, Hag; A. ])oUututn, Hag; A. durum, Hag; A. 

 ■ civile, Hag, and A. iners, Hag. are the smallest insects of the Odonata. 

 They are much alike in habits and features, and where one of these 

 five is found there also may the rest be looked for. During the fore- 

 part of June they begin to issue from the pupae cases, and from this 

 date to the n)iddle of Sei)tember may be seen along the edges of creeks 

 and small rivers, but in greater numbers where the water is standing 

 and impure. Patterson's Creek, or that part of it l)etween Bank 

 street road and Elgin street, seems to be their favourite locality about 

 Ottawa. They are very numerous here amongst the bulrushes and 

 tall grasses which grow by the edge and in the shallow water. Upon 

 the submerged stems and leaves of such plants they are said to deposit 

 their eggs. I have never seen any of the agrions in what I co\ild be 

 sure was the act of oviposition, but I have often noticed them submerge 

 a portion of the aV)domen in the water, whether this was for the 

 purpose of depositing eggs I know not, but I am of the opinion that no 

 oviposition took place on any of the occasions of which I speak, as this 

 performance was only of momentary duration. I have no doubt, how- 

 ever, that the eggs of these insects are committed to the water in some 

 such manner, and jierhaps the practice that I have so often observed, of 

 dipping the abdomen into the water, was preparatory to the act of 

 laying eggs. I have seen the statement somewhere that a certain 

 species — Agrion civile I think it was — goes below the surface of the 

 water several inches to deposit her eggs. It well repays one to remain 

 quiet for a few minutes to watch and note the slow, noiseless and grace- 

 ful njovements of these little objects, a thousand of which might float 



