MAY-FLIES AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS 231 



to these insects when hawking after their prey ; 

 for in their perfect state the carnivorous habit 

 still remains with them. 



When one of the larger kinds of dragon-fly is 



Fig. 154. Tips of the wings of a dragon-fly. 

 Magnified to exhibit the structure 



seen continually gliding and returning along some 

 hedgerow or woodland glade, we may know it is 

 overtaking and capturing smaller insects less 

 swift of wing. These are often retained in the 

 mouth until a sufficient quantity for a square 

 meal is obtained, when the insect rests and masti- 



