OF THE PERFECT INSECT. 233 



neighbourhood dowii to the banks of the river, and 

 of course the white butterflies are not unfrequently to 

 be seen upon its margin. My informant has often 

 observed the dragon-fly dart down as a hawk upon a 

 quarry, seize with its legs a firm hold of the butter- 

 fly, and carry it to a branch of one of the adjoining 

 trees. In a moment one of the white wings would 

 drop from the branch, then another would come 

 wavering downwards, until the four had fallen, and 

 the dragon-fly, after a short pause, would again 

 dart forth in pursuit of a fresh victim. He never 

 launched himself on his prey when on a perfect hori- 

 zontal line with it ; but took care to be either some- 

 what higher, or somewhat lower, so that he could 

 seize it with his feet. 



Perhaps from this account of their rapacity you 

 will deem our Enghsh name of dragon-fly more suit- 

 able than the French term apphed to the same 

 inssect — " demoiselles." Tlie translation of the latter 

 term is however the word used by Moore, in his de- 

 lightful little poem of " Paradise and the Peri." 



" When o'er the vale of Balbec winging 



Slowly, she sees a child at play, 

 Among the sunny wild flowers singing. 



As rosy and as wild as they ; 

 Chasing with eager hands and eyes 



Tlie beautiful blue {/aiiisel llies. 

 That flutter'd round the jasmine stems, 



Like winged flowers or flying gems." 



