316 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



menced at p. 302. The expansion of the wings 

 of this elegant creature, after it has left the 

 pupa-case, and fixed itself, generally on the stem 

 of some pond plant, goes on so rapidly, that we 

 can actually see them becoming larger each 

 moment as we look upon them. If we were to 

 attempt to trace their outline on paper, before the 

 next stroke could be added, their form would be 

 different. During; the whole time that the de- 



o 



velopment of the wings goes on, the insect con- 

 tinues perfectly still and immovable. Its wings 

 are not stirred in the least, and the insect seems 

 to avoid all risk of having these delicate organs 

 touched by any surrounding object. Its wings, 

 which are by-and-by to possess almost the stiffness 

 of a thin layer of the mineral talc, are at present 

 softer and more flexible than wet writing paper, 

 and if they were to receive any injury while in 

 this condition, that injury could never be repaired; 

 hence the insect requires to be in a perfectly quiet 

 condition. The dragon-fly seems to be fully aware 

 of this, and in order to prevent the wings, as they 

 increase in size, from drooping down towards, and 

 coming in contact with, its body, it curves it in the 

 manner represented, so as to allow for the expansion 



