3-tl 



insects generally. Some people notice them in order to avoid them oa 

 account of the mistaken impression which seems to prevail as to the 

 poisonous effect of their sting, oi" on account of the childish tradition as 

 to their habit of sewing up the eyes and then htinging their victim to 

 death ; while othei^s admire them for their beautiful colours, slender 

 forms and graceful motions. They are known by various names and 

 epithets, such as : — DevilV darning needles. Mosquito Hawks, Horse- 

 sdngers, and some others in English. The Germans call them WassfT- 

 jang-fern, or Virgins of the water. The Indians know them by tlxe 

 name of Kow-ne-she, or Duch-kow-ne-she, and the French are pleased 

 to style them Damoiselles. This last does not seem so appropriate 

 as some of the other appellations, as the point in which any of these 

 creatures resembles a lady is not clearlj^ dehaed— unless it is in their 

 slender waists. I know that some of the large ants are also called 

 Damoiselles by tlie French, and tlieir delicate forms leather suggest the 

 name ; but with all their admiration for the beauty and modesty of 

 women, I agree with Duncan when he says : — " No Frenchman would 

 " think of comparing a dragon-fly to a lady if the nature of this animal 

 ''• was known." 



Avoided and despised as the dragon-flies are by many, I need 

 scarcely say in conclusion that they are the most harmless things in 

 creation — utterly incapable of injuring man or beast, but on the con- 

 trary, are highly beneficial in every form and in evei'y stage of theiv life. 



It is much to be regretted that the minds of children are often 

 wrongly impressed by the telling of fabulous tales, and otherwise, 

 regarding many objects of nature, which proves a stumbling block in 

 the way of truth and science in after years. 



If children were taken to the fields and to the woods at the earliest 

 possible time, when the young mind is blank, so to speak, and susceptible 

 of every impression, whether for right or wrong, and taught to ooserve 

 and love the surrounding objects of nnture ; to avoid these things which 

 ought to be avoided, but at the same time to admire and respect them ; 

 to know that a portion of the economy of the universe is laid out for 

 each and every creature, and in order that its appointed task may be 

 fulfilled with the greatest ease, each one is given the form and features 

 peculiar to itself and most adapted to its calling ; that the innumerable 



