THE DRAGON OF THE POOL 43 



creatures they are, with their long glittering 

 bodies, huge shining eyes, and graceful wings. 



These beautiful insects are not all alike. 

 Some are dainty creatures with long, slender 

 bodies, hardly thicker than a darning needle, 

 and dusky wings clouded with blue. Some have 

 deep blue wings, others purple ; and some have 

 clear, transparent wings that gleam in the 

 sunshine with flashing rainbow tints. Other 

 Dragon -flies have broader bodies and soft 

 brown or yellow wings ; and some are great, 

 long fellows glittering in green and gold but 

 all are handsome insects, delightful to watch 

 as they dart over the water, rising, falling, 

 wheeling and turning with the most wonderful 

 ease and swiftness. 



You will only see the Dragon-flies about 

 when the sun is shining; on dull days they hide 

 themselves away. Even a dark cloud passing 

 over the sky will send them all to shelter 

 amongst the reeds and rushes and the bushes 

 near by ; and there they rest, so still, that in 

 spite of their bright colours it is difficult to 

 see them, and they will not venture forth 

 until the sun shows his face again. 



Wherever there is water you may see some 

 of these bright Dragon-flies, though they are 



