78 ODONATA. 



Figs. 32, 34, md). The two maxill?e (Fig. 32, mx^) 

 form the first pair. The second pair of maxillse (Figs. 

 32, 34, mx^^) consists, as in the locust, of two united 

 lobes (one lobe is seen in Fig. 32, and both in Fig. 

 34). Mosquitoes and many insects have reason to 

 consider the dragon-fly as their enemy, but children's 

 fears are groundless. Unfortunately the name *' darn- 

 ing-needle ' ' originated with the common belief that 

 this insect could sew up the ears of people, and this 

 belief still exerts a prejudicial influence upon the minds 

 of young persons. In reality the dragon-fly is one of 

 the most harmless of insects. It has no stinging in- 

 strument or poison-bag in its abdomen ; and though it 

 defends itself when caught by threatening with its 

 abdomen and by using its mandibles, the former is 

 harmless and the latter not sufficiently strong to do 

 any injury. 



The three rings of the thorax each bear a pair of legs 

 (PI. III., Figs. 32, 35, /', /", /'"), which diff"er slightly in 

 size and structure, though they vary in length, the first 

 pair being the shortest and the last pair the longest. 

 The tarsi, or feet, are provided with hooks, but the 

 cushions are wanting, as the creature has no use for 

 them. The legs are small and slender, proving that the 

 dragon-fly is neither a good walker nor leaper. The 

 two foremost legs (PI. III., Fig. 32,/'; Fig. 31) ex- 

 tend forward and these probably assist the head in 

 seizing the prey while the insect is flying. To accom- 

 plish this work most successfully, it is evident the neck 

 must be pliable and the prothorax free, so that the 

 head may be capable of quick and easy motion in any 

 direction, conditions which we have already seen to 

 exist in a very remarkable degree. 



