( !!78 ) 



T H ^ 



SECOND ORDER OF INSECTS. 



TO this we refer the Libella, or Dragofi-Fly j the Formica-Leo, or 

 Lion- Ant; the Grafshopper; the Locuft ; the Cricket j the Wood- 

 Cricket j the Mole -Cricket i the Flea-Locuftj the Flying-Bug; the 

 Tipiilaj the Water-Scorpion; the Notonedta, or Water-Fly; and 

 Tpany others, produced by eggs, but without wings, which they afterwards 

 acquire. 



THE LIBELLA, OR DRAGQN-FLY, 



IS, of all the flies which diverfify Nature, the moft various and moft 

 beautiful ; of all colours ; green, blue, crimfon, fcarlet, white ; 

 Ibme unite variety of moft vivid tints, in different fhades. They are 

 called, in different parts, by different names. They are diftinguifhed 

 from all other flies by the length of their bodies, the largenefs of their 

 eyes, and the beautiful tranfparency of their wings, which are four. In 

 fiimmer they fly rapidly near every hedge, and by every running brook; 

 they fometimes fettle on the leaves of plants, and fometimes keep hours 

 together on the wing. 



Though there are three or four different kinds, yet they agree in the 

 moft (|riking parts of their hiftory. The largeft are from two to four 

 inches long; their tail forked ; their body divided into eleven rings; 

 their eyes large, horny, tranfparent, net-like ; their wings, that always 

 lie flat when at reft, of a beautiful gloffy tranfparency, fometimes ftiin- 

 ing like filver or gold. Within the mouth are two teeth, covered with a 

 beautiful lip : with thefe ;he creatqres bite fiercely when taken ; but 

 their bite is harmlcfs. 



They are produced from eggs, depofited in the water, where they re- 

 main fome time without life or motion. They are ejeded by the female 

 into the water in clufters, like a bunch of grapes, where they fink to the 



bottom. 



