PSE UDONE UKOP TERA . 



73 



skin of the nymph clinging to the object upon which the transfor- 

 mation took place. Fig. 69 represents such a skin clinging to the 

 stem of a water-plant. 



The dragon-flies arc predaceous in the adult as well as in the 

 nymph state ; hence their vigorous flight and strong jaws render 

 them formidable foes of less powerful insects. 



It is not strange that there should be many popular superstitions 

 regarding insects so conspicuous as these. It is a common belief 

 among children that they have the power of sewing up the ears of 

 people, hence the name darning-needle; while the negroes in the 

 Southern States believe that the dragon-flies hover over dead snakes, 

 bringing them to life, and consequently call them snake-doct< 



The Libellulidae is a remarkably well-defined group of in 

 The wings are peculiar in form and venation, and especially in the 

 possession of the nodus; the reproductive organs of the male are 

 very distinct in form from those of any other insects; and in the 

 nymph the structure of the mouth-parts and the organs of respira- 

 tion are equally peculiar. Owing to these important diffcrer 

 which exist between the Libellulidae and the most nearly allied in- 

 sects, certain entomologists regard the group as an order, to which 

 they apply the name Odonata. 



-Wing of Dragon 

 am. accessory membrane or m 



a*, anal angle; <t<-. antrcubital croas veins: 

 Aa, baaal area or space ; c. r, costal 

 i langle. a prolongation of 



: m <i, median area or space ; mt, mt. median sect 

 nodus M, nodal sector ; A". A<*. postcostal area ; A", pottcostal vein, prolonged into , 



pOMCUbital CTOM-V -na ; v ' 'J" 



M. hort %r, 



a j.r.. 1 . si.; ..'r, n 



croM-Tcinn : ft, //. principal eci.r ; //. ptrrontigma ; f. 

 . tc, subcoital vein : tm. ubmcdian vein, proton k 



' diKoidal triangle, u*u.. .n^lc ; m 



*r/. u|>|>er sector of 



Figure ; :urc of t 



in insects of this order. 



