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 Demoi- 

 selle Dragon-flies, where the male is deep 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 trimucidata. It is an example of the 

 restricted genus Libellula. 



The singular group of insects termed Scorpiox-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 Lace-wing Flies, or Hemerobiiidpe, 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. 



The 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 lesi's and 

 their very large jaws, the legs being apparently useless as organs of progression, all movements 

 being made by means of the abdomen. 



