INSECT MECHANICS. 



363 



which are here overcome; and the best mechanician that the 

 world has known must stand humbly amazed before such an 

 astonishing application of mechanics to a mere insect. 



The wings are translucent, with the exception of a broad 

 waving band of dark brown near the tip. Perhaps the reader 

 may have noticed, and if he be an entomologist he must know, 

 that Dragon Mies have upon the outer edge of the upper wings 

 an oblong black spot. This spot is technically called the 

 " stigma," and by its shape and position is extremely useful in 

 distinguishing one species from another. In the present insect 

 the stigma is situated almost at the tip of the wing, and is very 

 short, thus gaining for the species the name of brevistigma, or 

 " short stigma." The insect is a native of Bogota. 



Fig. 17S.— Mecistogaster ornatus. 

 (Wings tinged with yellow at tips.) 



The insect whose portrait is here given was brought by Mr. 

 Bates from Para, on the Amazon River. 



