ODOiVATA. 79 



The last pair of legs (PL III., Fig. 35, /'") is carried 

 forward, and crowded closely against the mesothoracic 

 pair (Fig. 35, /"). The insect usually supports itself 

 on these two pairs when at rest. The explanation 

 for the peculiar structure of the thorax and position 

 of the legs is found in the dragon-fly's habit of hang- 

 ing from pendent leaves or on the under side of stems 

 when it alights. If the insect is suspended from the 

 finger by the hooks of the last two pairs of legs, its 

 position, when resting after flight, will be imitated. 

 It will then be seen that this habit has resulted in 

 carrying the points of insertion of the legs in front of 

 the centre of gravity, so that the forward part of the 

 body inclines upward, — a more comfortable position 

 and giving better opportunity for vision when at rest 

 than if the body were on a level, or the head end 

 inclined downward, as it would be if the legs were 

 carried backward instead of forward. 



The two pairs of wings (PI. III., Fig. 32, w'j w" ; 

 Fig. 35) are both used in flying, as may be inferred 

 from their nearly equal size and similar structure. 

 They are broad, transparent, and attached to the pos- 

 terior sloping surface of the thorax (Fig. 35, 7£/', w"). 

 Their most striking characteristic is the beautiful net- 

 work of veins or nervules. The wings of the female 

 (Fig. 32) of this species have three dark spots, while 

 those of the male (PL III., Fig. 31) have only two. 

 The ovipositor, which is Uttle used, is at the extremity 

 of the abdomen. The insect does not dig holes in 

 the ground for the eggs, and this organ is therefore 

 simpler and weaker than the ovipositor of the locust. 

 In the male (Fig. 31) the two terminal appendages 



