THE DRAGON-FLY. 5 



other like a closed fan. The body is likewise in- 

 sensibly extended, until all the limbs have obtain- 

 ed their proper size and dimensions. All these 

 surprising and difficult operations are accomplish- 

 ed by the force of the blood and the circulating 

 humours. The creature cannot at first make use 

 of its new wings, and therefore is forced to stay 

 in the same place until all its limbs are dried by 

 the circumambient air. It soon, however, begins 

 to enter upon a more noble life than it had 

 hitherto led in the bottom of the brook; and 

 from creeping slowly and living accidentally, it 

 now wings the air, and makes choice from amidst 

 the variety of its provisions. 



Indeed, no animal is more amply fitted for mo- 

 tion, subsistence, and enjoyment. As it haunts 

 and seeks after its food flying in the air, nature 

 has provided it with two large eyes, which make 

 almost the whole head, and which resemble glit- 

 tering mother-of-pearl. It has also four expansive 

 silver-coloured wings, with which, as with oars, it 

 can turn itself with prodigious velocity ; and to 

 assist these it is furnished with a very long body, 

 which, like a rudder, directs its motions. As the 

 wings are long, and the legs short, they seldom 

 walk, but are ever seen either resting or flying. 

 For this reason, they always choose dry branches 

 of trees or shrubs to remain on ; and when they 

 have refreshed themselves a little, they renew 

 their flight. Thus they are seen adorning the 

 summer with a profusion of beauty, lightly tra- 

 versing the air in a thousand directions, and ex- 

 panding the most beautiful colours to the sun. 



