Insecta. 15 



same classes think they bring dead snakes to life. It is 

 easy to see how these stories arise. The long abdomen is 

 supposed to hold a correspondingly long sting ; while its 

 mode of laying eggs (people not knowing what it is doing) 

 gives it the name applied in the South. The name mos- 

 quito hawk is the most significant of its life and habits, for 

 it has no sting, and is entirely harmless ; but, on the other 

 hand, it benefits man by destroying mosquitos and other 

 insects. 



Characteristics of Odonata. The dragon flies represent 

 the order Odonata. The chief characteristics of the order 

 are : wings net-veined, the two pairs equal or nearly so ; 

 mouth parts fitted for biting ; abdomen long and slender ; 

 development direct. 



COMPARISON OF GRASSHOPPER AND DRAGON FLY. 



GRASSHOPPER. DRAGON FLY. 



On land Home Over water 



Plants Food. Insects 



Numerous Enemies Few 



Strong for jumping Legs . . Weak, merely for perching 



Two pairs Wings, number . Two pairs 



First pair thick Wings, texture of .... Both pairs gauzy. 



Fold close to body . 1 Wings, position, j Extended at right angle 

 First pair covering 2d f resting (..... Not overlapping 



Crawl through grass .} . f . . . . Dart after insects 



r Position enables to \ 

 Elude observation . . J I Exposure less dangerous 



Adaptation to Mode of Life. In addition to the above 

 tabular representation of some of the most striking differ- 

 ences between the grasshopper and dragon fly, let us 

 consider what characteristics each has that fit it for its 

 particular mode and place of life, and which unfit it for 



