186 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



the legs, grouping beneath the mouth, form an additional basket for holding 

 the prey ; while the abdomen is very long and slender and ends in a pair of 

 forceps, which look formidable enough, but axe quite harmless. In spite 

 of popular belief, no Dragon-fly can sting. The wings are of glassy, lace-like 

 texture, all four being approximately the same size. 



The eggs are laid in or near the water, the larvae being aquatic. They are 

 ferocious creatures, living upon other larvae, worms, tadpoles, and any living 

 thing they can master. They can swim rapidly, possessing a special organ 

 by which they discharge a jet of water, thus propelling themselves forward. 

 The pupa is very similar, but possesses rudimentary wings. The larvae are 

 provided with a curious underjaw, or " mask," which is folded beneath the head, 

 but can be shot forward to seize the prey, which are held by means of terminal 

 hooks and drawn back to the mouth. When the time for emergence comes 

 (after eleven months) the pupa leaves the water, and climbing up a rush or other 

 water plant, its skin splits down the back and the winged insect appears. 



The following are some of the commoner species : 



The Great Dragon-fly (Mschna grandis), about 4 inches long, with pro- 

 portionate wings of light brown colour with paler markings. 



The Horse Stinger an entire misnomer (Libettula depressa), which has a 

 much shorter body, very much flattened, yellow in the female and blue in the 

 male. 



The Demoiselle, a most beautiful species about 2 inches long, very graceful 

 and slender the male coloured a deep metallic blue, with prominent black 

 patches on the wings ; the female green. 



This species is often found in large numbers, the pupae (nymphs) having 

 emerged practically all at the same time. I have seen fifty or sixty at once 

 hawking over a few yards of river. 



Calopteryx Virgo a deep metallic blue on the wings as well as the body 

 of the male, the female being of a coppery lustre. 



Order IX. THYSANOPTERA. 

 THRIPS. 



These are very minute insects, frequently found in flowers. Many possess 

 no wings, but others have exceedingly narrow wings, fringed with hairs ; the 

 larvae are very much like the parents, but lack wings. Many do considerable 

 damage to crops. The Corn Thrip (Thrips cerealium) sucks the sap from 

 wheat and other cereals, whilst Thrips pisivora attacks peas and beans. 



Order X. HEMIPTERA. 

 Sub-order i. Heteroptera. 



Bugs, Aphides, etc., are included in this large Order. 



These are true bugs, having fore-wings of a leathery texture, with a 



