120 DRAGONFLIES AND OTHERS 



is Libellula quadrimaculata (Plate X., Fig. 1). 

 It is reddish-brown with orange spots. The 

 tip of the abdomen is black. The wings are 

 tinged with yellow at the base, and each 

 bears two black spots. The insects are found 

 near ponds, and present a particularly brilliant 

 appearance, the dark patches and golden 

 tinge on the wings imparting richness to 

 their brightness. 



Libellula depressa is similar, but larger, and 

 the abdomen flatter. The female is yellow, 

 and the male has a quantity of bluish dust 

 scattered over the abdomen. The wings have 

 not the black spots near the middle seen in 

 the former species, but only one near the 

 tip of each. 



These two dragonflies are called 'horse- 

 stingers' by country people, although they 

 can no more sting than the rustics them- 

 selves. It is strange how those who are 

 in the constant habit of seeing insects are 

 generally inaccurate in their observations. 

 One learns little by mere seeing, if he does 

 not apply his mind to appreciate the meaning 

 of what he sees. For generations men, who 

 have daily seen this dragonfly every summer 



