CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



65 



Order Odonata (Od-o-na'ta). 

 The Dragon-flies and Damsel-flies. 



The members of this order have four membranous 

 wings which are finely netted with veins ; the hind wings 



Fig. 36. — A dragon-fly. 



are as large or larger than the fore wings, and each 

 wing has near the middle of its 

 front margin a joint like structure 

 — the nodus. The mouth-parts are 

 formed for biting. The metamor- 

 phosis is incotnplete. 



The name of this order is 

 evidently from the Greek word 

 odons, a tooth ; but the reason 

 for applying it to these insects 

 is obscure. It may refer to the 

 tusklike form of the abdomen. 



Fig. 36 represents a dragon- 

 fly, and Fig. 37 a damsel-fly 

 Work on these insects is out- 

 lined in the chapter on Pond 

 Life. 



Fig. 37. — A damsel-fly. 



