306 THE DRAGON-FLY. 
Its gleaming wings are, however, beautiful objects. They 
form a broad: expanse of delicate parchment-like mem- 
brane drawn over an intricate network of veins. Though 
the body is bulky, it is yet light, and easily sustained by 
the wings. The long tail madenbtediy acts as a rudder 
to steady its flight. 
These insects are almost universally dressed in the 
gayest colors. The body is variously banded with rich 
shades of blue, green, and yellow, and the wings give off 
the most beantifal iridescent and metallic pilockiont: 
During this month, the various species of Libellula and 
-its alico most abound. The eggs are attached loosely in 
bunches to the stems of ues and other water-plants. 
In laying them, the Dragon-fly, according to Mr. P. R 
Uhler’s observations, “alights upon water-plants, ap 
pushing the end of her body below the surface of 
water, glues a bunch of eggs to the submerged stem or 
leaf. Libellula auripennis, I have often seen laying eggs, 
and I think I was not deceived in my observation that 
she dropped a bunch of eggs into the open ditch while 
balancing herself just a little. way above the surface of the 
water. I have, also, seen her settled upon the reeds in 
brackish water with her abdomen submerged in part, and 
there attaching a cluster of eggs. I faak: pretty sure that 
L. auripennis does not always deposit the whole of her 
eggs at one time, ag I have seen her attach a cluster of not 
more than a dozen small yellow eggs. There must be 
more than one hundred eggs in one of the large bunches. 
The eggs of some of dig. Agrions are bright apple-green, 
but I cannot be sure that 3 have ever seen them in the 
very act of oviposition. They have curious habits of 
settling upon leaves and grass growing in the water, and 
often allow their abdomens to fall below the surface of the 
