192 THE DRAGON-FLY. 



which it received air in perfect secmity. This veil be- 

 ing formed of elastic threads, and opening upon pres- 

 sure, would constitute no impediment to the escape of 

 the fly when perfected. More care and forethought 

 than these contrivances manifest, we are not acquainted 

 with for any order of beings. I conjecture it would 

 have produced the emperor moth. 



June 16. I this day captured in a neighboring 

 meadow a fine specimen of the four-spotted dragon-fly 

 (libellula quadrjmaculata), and note this for my entomo- 

 logical friends ; being the first certain instance I am 

 acquainted with of its being taken in England of late 

 years, for Ray mentions it. Another, I believe, escaped 

 by its shyness. It is a handsome creature, about three 

 inches in breadth between the extremities of its wings. 

 The t\vo dark linear marks on the upper margin of each 

 wing, and tapering downy body, distinguish this fly 

 from any other. I can add nothing regarding its history 

 or manners. 



The ghost moth (hepialus humuli) is commonly seen 

 here, as I believe it to be in most other places, but 

 is mentioned to point out to any young person unac- 

 quainted with this insect its singular habit when on the 

 wing, which at once distinguishes it from any other 

 moth. The larva which produces this creature is hidden 

 in the ground during the season of winter; the fly 

 being formed in the month of May, and soon rising 

 from the soil, then commences its short career. At this 

 time one or more of them may frequently be observed 

 under some hedge in a mead, or some low place in a 

 damp pasture, only a few feet from the ground, perse- 

 vering for a length of time together in a very irregular 

 flight, rising, and falling, and balancing about in a space 

 not exceeding a few yards in circumference, an action 

 not observable in any other, and fully indicating this 

 moth. This procedure is not the meanless vagary of the 

 hour, but a frolicsome dance, the wooing of its mate, 

 which lies concealed in the herbage over which it sports. 

 The two insects are something similar in their general 

 form, but very differently marked. The male exhibitor 

 is known by its four glossy, satiny, white wings, border 

 * See note A A, appendix. 



