B2 IN THE ACADIAN LAND. 



young through their feeblest stage. This species 

 of yellow perch will, with good food and plenty 

 of it, grow to much larger size than we see 

 them. But now we will let him go and I will 

 move over to the pole dam, a rod or two distant, 

 where there is an inviting-looking puddle, cool 

 and clear in the shadow. 



It does not take a long search of an experi- 

 enced eye to discover the tyrant of this minia- 

 ture pond. It is not a fish nor a reptile, but an 

 insect " scarce half made up." It is the " devil's 

 darning-needle," or dragon-fly, one of the 

 LibellulidcB in an undeveloped stage. So far as 

 outward appearances are concerned, there is no 

 hint of his future destiny, when he will course 

 the air in burnished armor, and "down the 

 listed sunbeam ride resplendant with steel-blue 

 mail and shield!" We may readily see him, 

 and study him only a few days, or even hours, 

 it may be, before the great change overtakes 

 him. It is a creature of about one inch in 

 length, with two stubs of what are really wing- 

 cases on his fore back; the hinder portion of 

 his body is grub-like, covered with a shell. 

 There are six stout legs. The head is large, 

 the eyes bulging, and jaws stout. We will 

 watch him closely now and see him use a " con- 

 cealed weapon " that he carries neatly tucked up 



