204 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



They are simply gems in their way, we have seen 

 nothing superior to them in any work for the last five 

 years, and Mr. E. T. Compton ought to be in much 

 request as a book illustrator. The Mendip Hills 

 include some of the most interesting geology to be 

 had, and we are glad to see that Professor Lloyd- 

 Morgan, the now distinguished scientist, has, as a 

 labour of love, contributed to this charming work, a 

 chapter on the geological history of the Mendips. 



DRAGON-FLY GOSSIP. 



By W. Harcourt Bath, Author of "An Illustrated 

 Handbook of British Dragon- flies," "A Label List 

 of British Dragon-flies, ' r etc., etc. 



SINCE the appearance of my " Illustrated Hand- 

 book " in iSgo, much original information has 

 been obtained by myself respecting the beautiful 

 insects in question, the result principally of practical 

 work in the field and forest. For the benefit of those 

 who are interested in our British Odonata it is my 

 intention to relate my experiences in Science-Gossip 



Fig. 122. — Calopieryx virgo. (Reprinted from "An Illus- 

 trated Handbook of British Dragon-flies.") 



from time to time, in the hopes thereby of creating a 

 greater liking for them among entomologists. 



The bibliography of our native dragon-flies is 

 comparatively of such small dimensions that any 

 additions thereto may probably not prove unaccept- 

 able by students. I hope, therefore, collectors will 

 occasionally send some original notes and observations 

 for publication in this widely circulating and excellent 

 monthly, which is undoubtedly the most popular 

 magazine of its kind in existence. 



Some Misconceptions respecting Dragon- 

 flies. 



Strange as it may seem, there are many collectors 

 of insects who are still under the impression that 

 these innocent creatures can sting ! deriving their 

 notions no doubt from the popular idea respecting 

 them ; but first impressions die hard. 



The number of species of dragon-flies inhabiting 

 this country appears also to be greatly misunderstood, 

 for not so long ago a person writing to a certain 

 natural history magazine put down their total at 

 eight ; while another in a paper read before the 

 Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical 

 Society (and published in their " Transactions ")„ 

 estimated them at two hundred ; yet out of this great 

 association, which counts between three and four 

 hundred members, including several learned pro- 

 fessors, there was not one who knew sufficient about 

 these familiar insects to contradict the statement. 



Their number in this country, as all dragon-fry 

 students are aware, is forty-five, including several 

 casual and accidental visitors. 



The Predilection of Dragon-flies for 

 Particular Colours. 



Several instances of dragon-flies showing a fondness- 

 for certain colours are given in my well-patronised 

 little handbook. 



On one occasion I was in Wyre Forest hunting 

 these beautiful insects, and while standing by the 



Fig. 123. — Agrioit fiueiia. (From Mr. Harcourt Bath's work.? 



side of a stream where steel-blue demoiselles (Calop- 

 ieryx virgo) were flitting about in abundance, I 

 unbuttoned my jacket on account of the heat, dis- 

 playing beneath a cream-coloured silk waistcoat, 

 whereupon several specimens immediately settled 

 upon it and appeared to be so interested with the 

 article that they even permitted me to pick them up 

 and replace them again without exhibiting any signs 

 of fear. 



It is probable that the predilections of dragon-flies 

 for particular colours will result in something being 



