64 MR. F. F. LAIDLAW ON THE [Feb. 4, 



hapta forrida, Orthetrum pruinosum, and Calotkemis hiappendi- 

 culata. Others for the most part were caught playing round 

 stagnant water. Rapidly running streams are invariably avoided 

 except by Tyriohapta torrida. 



On the other hand, the ^^schnid^e are mostly found in the 

 forests, any small stagnant pool is an excellent locality; the 

 species of Gynacantha and Anax guttatus are sometimes seen in 

 the open. The large species of the Gomphhue are also forest 

 insects. Thus my specimen of Sieholdius grandis was taken in 

 the same locality (a small muddy pool frequented by wild pig) 

 with two males of Aviphiceschna ampla ; this locality also yielded 

 Pericnemis stictica and Lestes ridleyi. 



Another forest-haimting group is found amongst the Calo- 

 PTERTGID.E. VestciUs amceiia never occurs in the open, nor over 

 rapidly running water : probably Echo and Climacobasis have 

 similar habits ; they resemble Vestalis amcena so closely that they 

 may perhaps be often mistaken for this very common species. 

 The other Calopterygince, are only to be found playing over rapidly 

 running streams and rivers, and their beautiful iridescent wings 

 add greatly to the charms of a sun-lit river-scene. Rhinocypha 

 fenestrella sometimes forsakes the main stream for the shady 

 rivulets that wander through the forest, but most of the species 

 prefer the wider waters. The lovely Xeurohasis chinensis wanders 

 farther down the river perhaps than other species, but I have 

 never seen it near the mouth of a river, or in fact after the 

 stream had become sluggish and polluted. 



Of the Agrionince numerous species are found in i-ice-swamps : 

 few make then- home in the forests, amongst these are Fericnemis 

 stictica and Lestes ridleyi referred to above, as well as one or two 

 species of Psilocnemis, Amphilestes, and a few of the Protoneuroits 

 group. 



In many genera the females are exceedingly rare ; this is 

 especially the case with the Calopterygine genera Euphcea and 

 DysphcBci. It has been suggested that the soberly coloiu'ed 

 females do not attract the notice of collectors to the same extent 

 as the males, and that hence they are rarely found in collections : 

 but I can assert positively that in their own haunts the females 

 ai'e exceedingly rare ; to the best of my belief, I saw only one, a 

 female of Euphcea ochracea, which I secured. 



Family LIBELLULID^. 



SubfamUy LiBELLULiJfiE. 



(Species mavked with an asterisk are not represented in our Collection.) 



*Zyxomma petiolatum Ramb. 



Zyxomvia 2yetioIatu7n, Kirby, Cat. Odonata, p. 35. 



East Indies. Singapore {Ridley). 



