7 8 Lessons in Nature Study. 



Talk about the Dragon-fly. 



Children, the beetle with its hard shell-like wings, and the 

 butterfly, whose wings are covered with beautiful scales, has 

 been in our class-room. Now I am going to show you an in- 

 sect which is a great friend to boys and girls, but some boys 

 and girls are afraid of it. Can any of you tell me what it is ? 

 "A bee, because it gives honey and stings." No, not this time. 

 This is an insect which goes about always doing good, killing 

 the insects which harm us, but we often say very bad things 

 about him. Here it is. What is it ? "A darning-needle." 



FIG. 17. DRAGON-FLY. 



"A snake-feeder." "A dragon-fly." Yes, it is a dragon-fly. 

 Did you ever hear what mean things people tell of him ? 

 "They say that dragon-flies will sew up your ears." Yes, 

 that is what they say, but it is not true. I want you to know 

 and love this beautiful insect, for hedoes us much good, as 

 you shall see. 



Only see what a large head he has, and what a small neck. 

 Look at his great eyes. Each eye is as large as all the rest 

 of his head. If you look closely, you can see that his eyes 



