THE ANT-LION, 395 
on the back. When its time has come, the pupa leaves the water, and crawls up the stem of 
some aquatic plant until it has reached a suitable elevation ; it clings firmly with its claws, 
and remains apparently quiet. On approaching it, however, a violent internal agitation is 
perceptible, and presently the skin of the back splits along the middle, and the Dragon-fly 
protrudes its head and part of the thorax. By degrees, it withdraws itself from the empty 
skin, and sits for a few hours drying itself, and shaking out the innumerable folds into which 
the wide gauzy wings have been gathered. After a series of deep respirations of the unwonted 
air, and much waving of the wings, the glittering membranes gain strength and elasticity, and 
the enfranchized insect launches forth into the air, in search of prey and a mate. 
There are very many species of Dragon-flies, all very similar in their habits, being fiercely 
predaceous, strong of wing, and gifted with glittering colors. Unfortunately, the rich azure, 
deep green, soft carnation, or fiery scarlet of these insects fade with their life, and in a few 
hours after death the most brilliant Dragon-fly will have faded to a blackish-brown. The only 
mode of preserving the colors is to remove all the interior of the body, and to introduce paint 
of the proper colors. This, however, is but an empirical and unsatisfactory sort of proceed- 
ing; and no matter how skilfully it may be achieved, will never be worth the time bestowed 
upon it. 
In many species, the sexes are of different colors, as, for example, in the beautiful DEmor- 
SELLE DRAGON-FLIES, where the male is Jeep purple, with dark spots on the wings, and the 
female a rich green, with the wings uncolored. The wings are of an exceedingly fine quality, 
and the structure of the whole body can be best learned by reference to our full-page engrav- 
ing. Another form of Dragon-fly is the Libellula trimaculata. It is an example of the 
restricted genus Libellula. 
THE singular group of insects termed ScoRPION-FLIES also belong to this family. These 
insects derive their popular name from the curious appendage with which the abdomen of 
some of the species is armed. The male of the common Scorpion-fly has the sixth and seventh 
rings of the abdomen rather slender, and capable of movement in every direction ; while the 
last ring is modified into a stout, thick, rounded form, furnished with a pair of forceps not 
unlike those of the earwig. While at rest, the creature sits with the abdomen curled quietly 
over the back like a pug-dog’s tail; but, when irritated or alarmed, it brandishes the tail 
about in a very alarming manner, snapping at the same time with the forcipated extremity, 
and, if it seizes the finger, can inflict a very perceptible nip. Few persons, indeed, who are 
not accustomed to the insect can summon up sufficient moral courage to hold it while its 
scorpion-looking tail is being flourished in so menacing a manner. 
THe beautiful Lack-wine Frres, or Hemerobiidee, are also members of this order, 
Several species of the Lace-wings are also called by the appropriate name of Golden Eyes, 
on account of the extreme brilliancy of the large and projecting eyes, which glow as if 
with internal fires, and give forth flashes of gold and ruby light. Unfortunately, there 
is a sad drawback to their beauty, for, when handled, they exhale a most powerful and 
indescribably odious stench, unlike any imaginable combination of evil savors, but quite 
unique, and never to be forgotten after a single experience. The Lace-wings may be taken in 
the evening as they fly from tree to tree, and in the daytime may be found clinging to the 
under side of leaves. 
Tue far-famed ANT-LION is one of the insects that are more celebrated in their preliminary 
than in the perfect stage of existence. As may be seen by reference to the illustration, their 
perfect form is very light and elegant, and closely resembling that of the dragon-flies, save 
that the wings are lighter, softer, and broader. 
In their larval condition, however, as will be noticed, they are by no means attractive- 
looking creatures, somewhat resembling flattened maggots with their rather long legs and 
their very large jaws, the legs being apparently useless as organs of progression, all movements 
being made by means of the abdomen. 
