FOR HOME OBSERVATION 119 



years grubbing about the bottom, devouring 

 every living thing of reasonable size with 

 which it comes in contact, and not even 

 sparing its own kindred. The nymph, or 

 pupa, unlike that of a butterfly or beetle, 

 is not motionless, but continues the voracious 

 habits of the larva. At last, some sunny 

 morning it crawls up the stem of a water- 

 plant, and splitting its skin emerges as a 

 dragonfly. 



Thenceforth the dragonfly sweeps the air 

 in search of prey, as its fabulous namesake 

 was said to scour the earth. 



All this process may be observed in one's 

 home. For this purpose, a vessel containing 

 water and aquatic plants should be provided, 

 and a few of the larvae placed in it. They 

 can then be fed with worms, or small water 

 insects. 



The interest and amusement, which will be 

 derived from watching their curious habits, 

 will amply repay the trouble of attending to 

 their wants. 



The species having no satisfactory English 

 names, I shall use the Latin ones. The first 

 specimen, and a type of the true dragonflies, 



