2 HISTORY OF 



part of its skin previous to its state of perfection. 

 It is then seen to assume two wings, which, like 

 a budding flower, burst through the case that 

 contained them, and the animal becomes a wing- 

 ed insect in its state of highest perfection. To 

 this order we may refer the Libella or Dragon- 

 Fly, the Formica Leo or Lion- Ant, the Grass- 

 hopper, the Locust, the Cricket, the Wood- 

 Cricket, the Mole-Cricket, the Flea-Locust, the 

 Flying-Bug, the Tipula, the Water-Scorpion, the 

 Notonecta or Water-Fly, and many others. 



CHAPTER II. 



OF THE LIBELLA, OR DRAGON-FLY. 



OF all the flies which adorn or diversify the face 

 of nature, these are the most various and the 

 most beautiful : they are of all colours green, 

 blue, crimson, scarlet, white ; some unite a va- 

 riety of the most vivid tints, and exhibit in one 

 animal more different shades than are to be found 

 in the rainbow. They are called, in different 

 parts of the kingdom, by different names ; but 

 none can be at a loss to know them, as they are 

 distinguished from all other flies, by the length 

 of their bodies, by the largeness of their eyes, 

 and the beautiful transparency of their wings, 

 which are four in number. They are seen in 

 summer flying with great rapidity near every 



