THE DRAGONFLIES OF SOUTH-WEST SURREY. 193 



Orthetrum ccerulescens (Fabr.). — This is decidedly a rare 

 species here, and hitherto I have only been able to take it twice, 

 once by Frensham great pond and on Pudmoor. 



Sympetrum vulgatum (Linn.). — Frequently to be seen on the 

 sandy paths that run through the pine woods. It is one of the 

 species that seem to prefer shade to sun. 



Cordulia cened (Linn.). — This Dragonfly I found in large 

 numbers over a pond in Thursley. Its flight is extremely swift ; 

 nevertheless, it is comparatively easy to catch any number of 

 them. I found that it had a regular route of flight, and would 

 keep flying round and round the edge of the pond. By waiting 

 quietly at a certain spot for it to come round, and striking just 

 at the right moment, "I secured as many specimens as I wanted. 

 If missed, it does not return to the attack so characteristic of 

 L. depressa, but dashes off high up in the air, only to return 

 to its given route after a few minutes. It rarely settles like 

 depressa, but appears to be on the wing the whole day. I once 

 saw numbers of the small Agrion paella chase this species, 

 making repeated dashes at it as it hovered for a few seconds. 



2Eschnid.2e. 



Both the Mschna grandis (Linn.) and M. cyanea (Mull.) are 

 extremely abundant, and I have seen either one or the other 

 on the wing as late as the middle of October. Locally they 

 are known as "horse-stingers." 



Calopterygid.e. 



Calopteryx virgo (Linn.). — This species, to my mind, is the 

 loveliest of all British insects, and I cannot conceive a sight 

 more pleasing than to see a group of them hovering over the 

 middle of a stream, and in their dancing flight putting one very 

 forcibly in mind of gnats ; for they look very much like large 

 azure gnats. The habit of remaining in one particular spot is 

 remarkable, and I have seen one return to a particular twig to 

 rest times out of number. They have a decided preference for 

 running water, and, unlike most Dragonflies, prefer shade to 

 sun. Where thick trees and a tangle of brambles or bushes 

 overhang swift running shallow water, one is pretty certain of 

 Zool. 4th ser. vol. XIV , May. 1910. Q 



