.. N 



fhotos: J. J. Ward. 



p, G j. Dragon-fly (Vibellula dcpressa) 

 emerging from its nymph skin. " Nymph" 

 is the name given to the immature stage of 

 insects whose life-history shows incomplete 

 metamorphosis. There is no pupa. The 

 adult stage is reached at the final moulting 

 of the nymph skin. (See illustrations Nos. 

 2 to 6.) 



FIG. 3. A moment later it has extricated 

 its tail end and is free. Its wings then 

 commence to extend from their folds. (See 

 Fig. 4-) 



p [G 5 After the wings have dried and come 

 under muscular control, the insect raises itself and 

 brings them into the natural resting attitude, as 

 shown in Fig. 6. 



FIG. 2. At the end of three minutes the 

 Dragon-fly is free, all but the tip of its abdomen. 



FIG. 4. Five minutes alter its emergence its wings 

 are fully extended. 



FIG. 6. Short-bodied Dragon-fly just expanding 

 its wings after emergence from the nymph skin which 

 is seen near its head. 



