2o6 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



same species, and a magnificent male specimen of 

 Platetrum depressum, all of which I was fortunate 

 enough to secure. 



Butterflies of many kinds abounded hereabouts, 

 including Argynnis adippe, A. paphia, A. selene, A. 

 euphrosyne, Erpincphcle hyferanthcs, E. janira, E. 

 tithonus, Polyommatus phlaus, Cccnonympha pam- 

 pkilus, Lyaena icarus, Gonoplcryx rhamni, Pieris 

 Irassica, P. napa, and P. napi. 



Proceeding through the wood, I presently per- 

 ceived several more large ALschna cyanca engaged in 

 aerial evolutions round a tall oak-tree. They were 

 all apparently busy catching the flies and other 

 insects, which were swarming over the foliage. 

 Under another oak-tree, a little further through the 

 wood, I soon saw a splendid specimen of ALschna 

 grandis, similarly engaged. After three unsuccessful 

 attempts to secure it, I managed to see it safely in 

 my net. 



About twenty minutes later on I encountered 

 another example, but it proved far more difficult to 

 capture than the preceding one, for it kept flying, 

 nearly all the time, beyond reach of my net, but I 

 had a nice treat for half an hour or so, in watching it 

 chase its prey. The latter consisted of all sorts or 

 insects, from small dipterous flies to large specimens 

 of Argynnis paphia, and other butterflies which 

 abounded in the wood. 



After securing a large butterfly, it would fly to a 

 tree, bite off the wings of its victim and swallow the 

 body, apparently with great gusto. 



Similar performances went on for some time, until 

 the dragon-fly captured a fine specimen of Pieris 

 irassias, which it took to a low branch of an ad- 

 joining tree. Waiting my opportunity, until the 

 dragon-fly was fully engaged with its "joint," I 

 crept cautiously up beneath the spot ; one sudden 

 well-aimed stroke with *the net, and the prize was 

 mine. 



Both of the above specimens, together with a third 

 example, which I obtained in the same wood, are 

 exceeding handsome insects and would prove mag- 

 nificent additions to my collection. 



The same afternoon I secured specimens of several 

 other species, as well as a good series of butterflies of 

 various kinds, so that I returned home well pleased 

 with the result of my expedition. 



A full description and an account of the habits of 

 JEschna grandis are given in my " Illustrated Hand- 

 book of Eritish Dragon-flies," but I may here 

 remark, that it can be readily distinguished from any 

 other species of .Eschna inhabiting this country by 

 the colour ol its wings, the veins or nervures of which 

 are of a rich rusty red hue. It is, without doubt, one 

 of the most handsome species in the British Isles, and 

 is only eclipsed by one in size, namely Anax 

 formosus, which is the largest British and European 

 species. 



In the expanse of its wings the Grand Dragon-fly 



measures about four and a half inches. Although 

 fairly common, whenever it occurs it is rather local 

 in its distribution. It is chiefly met with in the 

 south of England being less seldom seen as one 

 travels northwards. Its time of appearance in the 

 imago state is from June to September. Although 

 it may mostly be seen about during July and August. 

 I possess a fine series of this majestic species in my 

 collection, which I may here remark, is open to in- 

 spection by readers of Science-Gossip at any time. 



{To be continued.) 



NOTES ON BRITISH DRAGON-FLY 

 NAMES. 



By W. H. Nunney. 



" r J^ EMPORA MUTANTUT< " is an oft-quoted 

 J. saying, and in the present case it suits to a 

 nicety. The times are indeed changed. The age 

 has become more exact, more scientific, and a finer 

 spirit of classification is abroad, things of the present 

 being subjected to searching analyses that would 

 have shocked all but a select few in times gone by. 

 This cult of exactitude has surrounded alike things 

 both great and small, and none have escaped. The 

 Dragon-flies, erstwhile banded together under the 

 Linnean name of Libcllula, have gradually been 

 grouped into many genera with appropriate titles. 

 The entire family have lately undergone thorough 

 revision, and it has therefore occurred to me that a 

 few words on the subject would not be out of place 

 in this periodical. The major part of these changes 

 having been embodied in Mr. W. F. Kirby's recently 

 published "Catalogue of the Odonata," I shall offer 

 no apology for appealing thereto when desirable. 



Owing to the dragon-flies having received but little 

 attention from entomologists, the names of the 

 various genera and species, until comparatively recent 

 times, were subject to a number of inconsistencies, 

 which had been weeded out from other groups of 

 insects. Such inconsistencies were the naming of a 

 species without the publication of any description by 

 which the insects might be recognised by ento- 

 mologists succeeding the original observer, the not 

 taking into consideration certain names which had a 

 priority over others, and many other failures or 

 breaches of system. Midler's writings were for a 

 long time unknown to British entomologists, and his 

 species and names were in consequence passed over, 

 and their recognition somewhat upset the nomen- 

 clature aud classification of species. The synonyms 

 both of groups and of species have now been most 

 thoroughly worked out, thus placing the study of the 

 Odonata on an entirely new and surer footing. 

 Some of the older names that had sunk into oblivion 

 are now revived, whilst others that have little or no 

 claim for consideration have been discarded. 



There has of late years been a growing tendency 



