NEUROPTERS: DRAGON-FLIES. 177 



graceful form, variegated colors, and the great velocity 

 with which they speed their way over fields and mead- 

 ows, or skim the surfaces of the pools or ponds in 



Fig. 333. Dragon-Fly . 



search of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, upon 

 which they feed. In the larva and pupa states they 

 live in the water, and are rather long, broad, and flat, 

 with long sprawling legs, and they crawl about, or pro- 

 pel themselves by ejecting water from a cavity situated 

 at the hind part of their body. They are very vora- 

 cious, devouring other insects and even one another. 

 When the time comes for the last change, they crawl 

 up the stems of plants, and, having withdrawn from 

 the pupa-skin, which remains clinging to the plant, 

 and dried themselves a little, they spread their wings 

 and dart swiftly away. Though they bite quite fiercely 

 with their jaws, they are without any sort of sting, 

 and are perfectly harmless to man. 



CORYDALIS. 



The Horned Corydalis expands five or six inches, 

 and the male has two long, horn-like pincers. 



8* L 



