232 RAPACIOUS HABITS 



ponds in our Botanic Garden, was in the act of 

 preying on a tadpole, much more bulky than itself, 

 and continued its operations without evincing the 

 slightest discomposure. My relative, B. J. Clarke, 

 Esq., of La Bergerie, Portarlington, on one occasion 

 witnessed a struggle between one of these larvae and 

 a fuU-grovni stickleback of twice its size. The huge 

 mandibles of the assailant were extended across the 

 head of the fish, one being inserted into each eye : 

 and although the larva was taken from the water, 

 and held suspended by the tail, it never for a moment 

 relaxed its hold of the prey. 



When elevated from the water into the genial 

 warmth of the summer sun, and gifted in their 

 perfect state with their full powers of destruc- 

 tion, they carry on a successful warfare against the 

 other inhabitants of the air ; hawking over the pools 

 and rivers, seizing the Phryganese and Ephemerae, lop- 

 ping off their wings with great rapidity, and devour- 

 ing their bodies. Nor are their attacks confined to 

 these tribes : the elegant plumage which decks the 

 Lepidoptera forms no protection, or perhaps makes 

 them more conspicuous to their destroyer. Mr. 

 B. J. Clarke has told me, that when fishing in the 

 river Barrow, near that town, he has watched 

 with great interest the proceedings of the large 

 dragon-flies. Gardens and meadows extend in that 



