51 



tion of them located as they are can see in practically every 

 direction. Just think how fortunate this creature is^ — 

 possessed of twenty thousand eyes while many insects and 

 animals have none at all; but then the dragon-fly has to 

 hunt harder for his food and has to keep very sharp watch 

 to escape his enemies. 



Dragon-flies lay their eggs in the water, either dropping 

 them singly or glueing them to the stems of plants just 

 below the surface. The first stages of those insects that 

 do not go through a complete metamorphosis are known as 

 nymphs; consequently the little creatures that hatch from 

 the dragon-fly eggs are dragon-fly nymphs. Like grass- 

 hoppers they get their growth by a process of moulting, 

 shedding their old, dried skin as often as it becomes too 

 small for them. While the nymph bears practically no re- 

 semblance to the adult dragon-fly in the first stages, each 

 moult brings out the likeness a little more, but the wings 

 are not obtained until the final one. During its life in the 

 water, the young dragon-fly feeds upon mosquito "wrig- 

 glers" and other small insect larvae. Thus, in its early 

 stages, the darning-needle does as much, or even more, 

 good than later when it preys upon the winged insects. 



Dragon-fly nymphs are extremely voracious ; the lower 

 jaw is provided with an extendable scoop armed with teeth, 

 known as a mask because it fits closely to the face so as 

 to conceal its dangerous character. This mask is extended 

 to grasp prey and then draws it back into the mouth. As 

 the nymphs arrive at the last stages of their under-water 

 life they are active and strong enough to overpower small 

 fish and quite large aquatic insects. When ready for the 

 final change, it crawls out on weeds or rocks, the skin 

 splits down the back and the adult insect emerges, its wings 

 developing rapidly from little packets on each side. 



Adult dragon-flies are even more voracious than their 

 larvae; their appetite seems to be insatiable. Their prey 

 is almost wholly captured while in flight and is also devour- 

 ed on the wing; it is done so quickly that it is almost im- 

 possible to ascertain just how. Small insects are apparent- 



