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PLATE XLIV, 



The larva 



OF THE 



I.IBELLULA DEPRESS A, 



In Plate %4, of this work we have reprefented the Libellula 

 Pepressa in the winged ftate, and our prefent Figure is, of the 

 Larva of that Infect. We have before defcribed it as a favage vora-. 

 clous creature in every ftate of its exiftence, The Larva, which is 

 ^n aquatic, feeds on InfecSs of that element; and when it becomes 

 adult, Moths, Butterflies, and other winged Infects are its prey. As 

 Lepidopterous Infeds are not provided with any weapons, defenfive or 

 ofFenfive, it will encounter the largeft, grafp them in its claws, and 

 tear them to pieces, Its mouth is fpacious, and well adapted for that 

 purpofe. 



The Larvse of moft winged Infers pafs to the Aurelia, or Chryfalis 

 ftate, and thence produce the Fly ; but the Larvse of the Libellul<ff 

 never undergoes that change, and though its appearance is altered 

 feveral times in its progrefs to perfedion, it does not become dormant, 

 When the ultimate period of its laft change arrives, it crawls to the 

 bank, or fide of the ditch, and affixing its legs firmly to the ground, 

 or grafs, it collects all its ftrength, and by one violent eiFort the fu- 

 ture between the Thorax and Abdomen is broken, whence the Head 

 l^nd Thorax is protruded ; after fome paufe the exuvia is caft off, and 

 the Wings, which were before enwrapped in the fhort cafes at the 

 bottom of the Thorax, expand. The creature now entirely formed 

 for flight, only waits a fhort time to exhale the fuperfluous moifture, 

 and then ruQies into the air, to fpread havoc and diforder. 



PLATE 



