74 



ODONATA. 



one of the striking characteristics of the insects of this 

 order. The head (PL III., Fig. 32, A ; Fig. 34, p. 73) 

 is broad and short, convex in front, and concave be- 

 hind. Its shape is owing, in part, to the great com- 

 pound eyes (PI. III., Fig. 34, ey), which meet on the 

 top of the head and extend downward on either side. 



Fig- 33. 



In some genera of the family Agrionidae the eyes are 

 widely separated and stand out on the sides of the 

 head, giving a dumb-bell-shaped appearance to this 

 part of the body. The neck looks like a fleshy 

 pivot, but is so soft and pliable that the head, in 

 an alcoholic specimen, can be turned twice round 



