340 



Tlie p'appe of tlie dragon-fly are only distinguishable from the 

 liirvte by having wing-pads on the back ; both being equally active. 

 WJien the pupje are ready for transformation they crawl out of the 

 water up 5;i the stems and branches of plants, secure a firm hold and 

 remain until the sun dries the skin, which splits on the back, and the 

 perfect ins^'ct cornes forth, and leaves the hull clinging to the jdant. 

 Many of these old hulls or pupse-cases may be seen sticking firmly 

 to reeds and grasses along the edges of pout's, etc. After coming from 

 this case a very short time is required to expand and dry the wings 

 and otherwise pi'epare the insect for its atrial home, then away goes 

 this beautiful creature with gauzy wings of gauly colours, which, but a 

 few moments before was a horrible, repulsive and voiacious object, 

 crawling over the slimy bottom of a filthy pool of stagnant water. 



These insects have a remarkable weapon which enables them to 

 capture their prey in their larval and pupa states, with as much ease 

 as they afterward can upon the wing. The lower-lip is very long and 

 shaped like a ladle, the end terminating Avith two incurved hooks. 

 When theanima! is at rest this elongation of the lip is folded up and 

 concealed beneath the under jaw until some luckless insect comes within 

 striking distance when out slips this trap-like apparatus (against which 

 its victim has made no provision) and secures the booty. 



With regard to their manner of breathing, Duncan in his work on 

 the " Transformations of Insects" says : " The \avvx and nymphs 

 " although living under water and must respire, have no' branched or 

 " external organs by which they can breathe. Their method of respi- 

 •' ration is unique ; they breathe with their intestines. The large 

 " intestine is covered with numerous trachetie, and when the animal 

 '•' wishes to breathe, it op^us the orifice of the intestine and admits a 

 " quantity ot water. This of couise contains air mechanically 

 " suspended which is taken up by the trachete just mentioned." In 

 expelling the water thus taken into the intestine it is sent out with 

 considerable force which propels the animal forward with a jerk several 

 times the length of its own body, and by this means it keeps out of the 

 way of its enemies. 



Dragon-flies always attract, more or less, the attention of every- 

 one, and often excite curiosity in many who take but little notice of 



