72 



THE LARVA OR NYMPH 



[CH. 



Pierre [118] has carefully described the remarkable method of 

 hatching in the case of Lestes viridis (fig. 26). This Dragonfly lays 

 its eggs in autumn on the underside of sallow or osier stems, forming 

 the so-called "Dragonfly-galls" (fig. 25). In the spring, the pro- 



Fig. 26. Hatching of Lestes viridis Vand. A. Pronymph emerging from "gall." 

 B. Larva emerging from pronymphal sheath. After Pierre. 



Fig. 27. Newly-hatched larva of Dip- 

 lacodes haematodes Burni. (x 25.) 

 Original. 



Fig. 28. Newly-hatched larva of 

 Diphlebia lestoides Selys. (x 25.) 

 Original. 



nymph emerges, enclosed in its sheath, which is armoured all over 

 with small overlapping plates, like a coat of mail. By a strong 

 bending of the body (fig. 26 A), it jumps clear of the stem, and 

 usually falls into the water. If, however, it falls on to the ground, 

 it skips vigorously about, until, aided by the slope of the ground 



