NATURAL HISTORY. 2?) 
CHAPTER III. 
THE LARVA AND PUPA OF A BEAUTIFUL SPECIES OF LIBELLULA, 
OR DRAGON FLY. 
Libellula grandis.—Linné. 
&shna grandis.—Fabr. and Leach. 
Amone the numerous species of the family 
Libellulide, the larva and pupa of that which 
forms the subject of these remarks stand pre- 
eminent as objects for microscopic examination, 
both on account of the elegance of their form, 
and the variety and brilliancy of the tints which 
adorn them; while the possession of a sufficient 
transparency to exhibit a portion of their internal 
organization, and a distinct view of the ramifi- 
cations of the air-vessels (trachee,) which per- 
vade the delicately marginated appendages of 
their tail, together with the peculiar structure 
of their weapons and manducatory organs, 
render them curious and highly interesting 
examples of the diversified contrivances that 
Nature displays in the insect creation. 
The eggs are deposited in the water by the 
parent fly, who, hovering over a selected spot, 
