198 OUT OF DOORS. 



wind, so that the insect of feeble flight was completely 

 in its power I was going to say, at its mercy, only 

 that it has none. In fact, the dragon-fly has at such 

 times an advantage over most other flying insects, much 

 like that which is enjoyed by a steamer over a sailing 

 vessel when both are making their way against contrary 

 winds. 



In this way insect after insect was captured, various 

 species of frog-hoppers, by the way, appearing to form 

 the staple of the dragon-fly's food. Their two white, 

 milky, slight wings had no chance against the four 

 swift wings of the dragon-fly, which swooped at them 

 as they were blown along helplessly by the wind, caught 

 them with unerring certainty, settled on its resting- 

 place, gobbled them up with a couple of bites, just as 

 a mastiff disposes of a mutton chop, and then looked 

 hungrily round for more prey. 



Let everyone who values the balance of Nature pro- 

 tect and encourage the dragon-flies as much as possible. 

 They do no harm in any way, and they do an infinity 

 of good by feeding upon insects, many of which are 

 destructive either to the field, the garden, or the 

 orchard. 



