ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



GOMPHUS VULGATISSIMUS. Leach. 



Libellula Vulgatissima. Linn. 



Common Dragon Fly. 



Head yellow, with three black transverse narrow 

 streaks : thorax yellow, with three black streaks, 

 one down the centre and one on each side : body 

 yellow, with two black streaks down the back, 

 gradually increasing in width and joining at the ter- 

 mination of the sixth joint : wings light and iri- 

 descent : legs black. 



This beautiful and splendid insect is by no means 

 so common as its specific name might imply ; at least 

 it is not so near London, or it must be confined to a 

 very limited space : Linne in all probability gave it 

 this name from its being common in Sweden. We 

 have never met witli but one living specimen of this 

 species, which was taken in the copse, north of the 

 hill from Robin-hood Lane, adjoining Coombe Wood, 

 Surrey, about twenty years since, in the month of 

 June ; but in some parts of Epping Forest, from the 

 observations of an old collector of insects, in certain 

 seasons it is not uncommon. Insects of the Order 

 Neuroptera will generally be local, not for want of 

 powerful flight, but from situations congenial to the 

 propagation of their species, and the attraction of 

 water, their natural element in the infant state, and 

 for the love, of their offspring — a most beautiful pro- 

 vision of nature. No insects are more powerful on the 

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