n8 DRAGONFLIES AND OTHERS 



lake itself is in the midst of a fir wood, but 

 fringed with alders and light-green bushes, 

 which reflect themselves in the dark pool. 

 Around the shore runs a broad belt of rushes. 

 Standing here on a hot day in July, the sun 

 shining brightly on the surface of the water, 

 one witnesses a remarkable exhibition of 

 dragonflies. 



A number of delicate Agrioninse are flitting 

 about the stems of the rushes, resembling 

 nothing so much as wisps of crimson, blue, or 

 grey ribbon fluttering in the wind. Through 

 these, with a wild rush, comes one of the 

 powerful Mschninse nearly three inches long 

 and four across the wings scattering the 

 smaller species, like a liner amongst a fleet 

 of yachts. The scene forms a picture, which 

 once seen is never forgotten. Our home 

 species are, however, far surpassed by those 

 of the tropics, which have wings, green, blue, 

 red, or glittering like gold filigree. 



I have already said that part of a dragon- 

 fly's life is spent under water, and part above 

 it. The egg is deposited in a pond or 

 stream. From this egg the larva comes 

 forth, and spends from nine months to three 



