197 

 THE DRAGON FLY. 



The under figure is the nymph case ; the one attached to it, the fly in the act 

 of escaping. The upper is the full formed llbellula varia. 



OF the DRAGON FLY (llbellula) there are several 

 varieties, called water nymphs, adder bolts, and other 

 names, varying in length from half an inch to two 

 inches and a quarter. They are all remarkable in their 

 appearance, and gaudy in their colours ; and salmon at 

 all times, but more especially when the water is 

 clearing after a flood, prefer them to any other food. 

 The dragon flies are the most vigorous of British 

 winged insects ; and their long wings, of which they all 

 have four, make a whizzing noise as they vibrate 

 them in the air. Though the largest and most gaudy 

 are usually seen about the margins of rivers, rivulets, 

 s .3 



