THE DRAGON FLl'. 47 1 



vvhicli Uraes from thefe eggs, at firfl feeds on fmall aqua- 

 tic infefts, gradually acquiring more voracity and bold- 

 nefs in the purfult, in proportion as its itrength increafes, 

 at length it becomes fo infatiable that it is faid to devour 

 even thofe of its own kindf. 



The form and colour of thefe worms are extremely 

 difgufting : They are fuppofed to have gills like liflies ; 

 and beneath the head is placed an inilrument excellently 

 adapted for feizlng and holding their prey. It is furnifn- 

 ed \^ith a forceps at the end, and can be advanced or 

 drawn b^ck with all the agility of the human hand. 



The caterpillar remains in the fame ftate for nearly 

 twelve months before it has attained to its full fize : 

 When the period of transformation has arrived, the worm 

 repairs to the margin of its pond in quefl of a convenient 

 place- of abode during the feafon of its inaftion. It tliere 

 attaches itfelf to a plant or piece of dry wood ; and the 

 frcin, which has gradually become parched and brittle, at 

 lad fplits oppolite to tlie upper part of the thorax. 

 Through this aperture the winged infecl quickly pufiies 

 its way ; and being thus extricated from confinement, be- 

 gins to expand its wings, to flutter, and finally to launch 

 into the air, with that gricefulnefs and eafe peculiar to 

 this majeftic tribe f . 



No particular time Lems appointed for the metamor- 

 phofis of the libellula into its winged i^ate ; the different 

 fpecies are continually emerging from the water from 

 y^pr'il to Aiigujl : For as the times of copulation are va- 

 rious and frequent during the whole fiimmer, fo the lar- 

 vas or caterpillars are found of different fiz?s, according 

 to their age. The fmaller kinds, however, rcnerally 



make 



I Harris F.ypnfit. p. 5T. | Earlnit, uTjI Aiprn. 



