RAPACITY OF THE LARViE. 



231 



whom they are found exhibit a mottled livery of 

 brown, white, and yellow. You will conjectvire I am 

 alluding to the dragon-flies {Libellulina MacLeay), 

 for those creatures, whose appearance is so rich, so 

 graceful, and so airy, bear that terrifying appellation. 

 I must admit that the epithet is justly applied, for 

 their whole life is one continued scene of destruction. 



A, The Dragon-flu making iU exit from the pupa; b, The same drying 

 its wings. 



They are found so early as May, and I have seen 

 them "labouring in their vocation" on the 4th of 

 October. In their lana state they reside in water ; 

 and here they are the terror of aquatic insects, and 

 even the successful assailant of the smaller fishes. 

 One, about an inch and a quarter in length, which I 

 lifted in my hand with some water, from one of the 



