ORDER V. NET-WINGED INSECTS. 217 



other predaccous tribes of this order, to remind one how- 

 far these insects excel the Orthoptera in the number and 

 variety of their instincts." .... 

 " Respectfully yours, 



"TiiADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS." 



The Dragon-fly (Libellula). 

 This is, perhaps, the most conspicuous genus of the order 



Figure Ul. 



The Libellula. 



Neuroptera, and, as has been seen by the above letter of Dr. 

 Harris, is regarded as the typical genus of the order. On 

 account of the long and slender body, peculiar to the insects 

 of this genus, they have sometimes been called Devil's 

 darning-needles, but more commonly Dragon-flies. The 

 French call them Demoiselles, and the Germans Wasser- 

 junyfern (" Virgins of the Water"). Their hind body is 

 long, slender, and composed of ten rings. They have four 

 transparent, membranaceous wings, which, although not so 

 handsomely colored as those of butterflies, still are decided- 

 ly pretty, many of them glistening like gold, and all resem- 

 bling richly-embroidered gauze. Some species have brill- 



K 



