A FASCINATING SUBJECT 117 



race must have perished in the struggle for 

 existence. As it is, dragonflies are perfectly 

 harmless, so far as human beings are concerned, 

 for they neither bite nor sting. 



Dragonflies are termed, scientifically, 

 Odonata. They are regarded by some 

 naturalists as an Order by themselves ; but 

 most consider them as a section of the 

 Neuroptera, or Nerve- winged insects. They 

 certainly form a most interesting group. The 

 metallic hues of their bodies and brilliant 

 glitter of their wings; their powerful yet 

 graceful flight ; their wonderful life history, at 

 one time inhabiting the water, at another the 

 air all combine to make them a fascinating 

 subject of study. The fact that they are by 

 no means easy to catch, adds an element of 

 sport. Of late years, especially since the 

 publication of treatises on the Odonata, more 

 attention has been devoted to the study ; but 

 there is still room for original research. 



When I think of dragonflies, I always 

 associate them with a favourite haunt. It is 

 a small lake, black and still, covering about 

 a couple of acres, and lying at the foot of a 

 hill clothed with Scotch fir and larch. The 



