THE INSECTS. 311 



Dragon- Flies, May-Flies, Scorpion -Flies, &c., belong to 

 this order. 



The typical Neuroptera, according to the Linnaean order, 

 are the DRAGON-FLIES (Odontata; family, Libellulidce) ; highly 

 organised with regard to their powerful mandibulate mouths 

 and densely reticulated wings. There are three genera, 

 Agrion, Libellula, and ^Eschna, and fourteen British species 

 divided into two sections. 



These insects often attract our attention when by the 

 water-side by the curious rustling of the wings of the 

 larger species, as they cross and recross our path on a hot 



THE DRAGON-FLY OR HORSE-SINGER. 



summer's day, or by the beautiful colours of the smaller 

 kinds as they settle on the flags or other plants. 

 Those generally met with are 



1. The GREAT DRAGON-FLY (Libellula grandis, ^Eschna 

 grandis), a most beautiful insect with a reddish-brown body 

 with white spots, the wings with a marginal spot. 



2. The DRAGON-FLY or HORSE-SINGER (Libellula depressa 

 Donovan). Eyes brown ; thorax greenish, with two 

 yellow transverse bands ; a large dark spot at the base of 

 each wing, and a small dark spot on the anterior margin. 

 Donovan says it is a perfect vulture among lepidopterous 

 and other defenceless insects, destroying more for its sport 

 than for its voracious appetite. 



