337 



Lcngtli, 1| ir.clies ; uImv expanse, 2| inches. Twelve antecubitals ; ten 

 postcubitals. 



Libellula quadnmaculata, Ijinn. — This is one of tlie first dragon- 

 flies to make its appearance in Spring, and is rather common from May 

 to July, but I have not seen many after the latter month. The wings 

 have four brownish spots each, and are otherwise beautifully varigated 

 with yellow stri]>es. Length, 1|- inches ; alar expanse, 2| inches ; 

 seventeen antecubicaly ; ten to twelve postcubitals. 



Lihdlida pidchella, Sciy, is a large insect and is leather plentiful 

 all summer ; the wings are truly ornamental, each one having three 

 brown spots which are surrounded by v/hite clouds that glisten like 

 glass. To see a number of these insects sporting over a pond, as they 

 often do, is one of the prettiest sights in nature. Length, 1\ inches ; 

 alar expanse, 3|- inches ; eighteen anteciibitals ; twelve to fifteen 

 postcubitals. 



Libellula hasalis, Say. — This, in my estimation, is' the prettiest of 

 its genus, and is seldom met with about Ottawa. I have only ono 

 specimen, but I got a glimpse of another last summer in Stewart's 

 bush, but could not secure it. The large basal clouds are fuscous or 

 nearly black, and are very clearly defined. The apical portion is so 

 transparent and fino in texture, that nothing can be seen of the wings 

 when the insect is in flight, but the basal clouds — on this account I 

 took the first one I saw fo'' a black Vjutterfly. Length, If inches ; 

 alar expanse, 3^ inches ; sixteen antecubitals ; fourteen postcubitals. 

 There is a narrow brown stripe all along the upper part of the 

 abdomen and the sides are speckled. 



Diplax. — The 'insects of this genus are the smallest of the 

 LibellulidiB. They vary in length from about 1|^ to 1| inches. The 

 wings expand from If to 2^ inches, and have from seven to eight anti- 

 cubitals, and six to eight postcubitals. 



Diplax ruhicundula, Say, is the red dragon-fly that is so common 

 during the whole summer. The body is of a dull red, and the wings 

 in the males are sometimes faintly tinted with the same colour-. The 

 female is of a dusky yellow, her wings are hyaline and extremely 

 delicate. . They are fond of grain fields — especially buckwheat when in 

 blossom — where they congregate in thousands, and they probably do a 



