] 30 INSECTS. 



grass-green, burnished like the male. The membrane of 

 her wings is unclouded, and is throughout of a rich 

 golden hue. The beauty of these insects passes de- 

 scription when (as they may be seen in the New Forest) 

 hundreds are on the wing together, darting from side to 

 side of a little rivulet, or reposing in the sunshine. 



The difference of colour in the sexes is often very 

 great, as in the broad flat L. depressa, of which the 

 female is golden-brown, and the male dull pale blue.* 



The powerful flight of the larger species has already 

 been several times mentioned. An instance has occurred 

 of the capture of a Dragonfly at sea, more than six hun- 

 dred miles from land, a fact which may give some idea 

 of the travelling powers of this insect, which, even with 

 a favourable wind, must have been severely tried. A 

 Butterfly has been observed following a ship equally 

 distant from the land, and similar facts are on record 

 with regard to other insects; but the case of the Dragon- 

 fly is peculiarly interesting, as the nature and habits of 

 its pupa forbid the conjecture that the insect may have 

 been taken on board in this state, and have come to 

 perfection there. It is remarked that the incapacity of 

 Dragonflies to subsist for any considerable time with- 

 out food, is a proof that the journey must have been 

 quickly accomplished. 



They prey, both in their earlier and aquatic, and also 

 in the perfect states, upon other living insects, and are 

 exceedingly fierce and voracious. The unarmed Dragon- 

 fly will use small ceremony towards even a wasp, whilst, 



* This is owing to a tine powder or bloom which covers the male, and 

 which may be rubbed off, leaving his colour the same as that of the 

 female. 



