DRAGON-FLIES, ETC. 205 



thought of removing this section of Neuroptera 

 to the order Lepidoptera ; however, other cha- 

 racters seem to dispose the majority of entomolo- 

 gists to retain them in their present situation in 

 the order Neuroptera. Prom this it will he seen 

 that a general system of classification is not very 

 easily carried out in all matters of detail without 

 encountering many discrepancies, for the endless 

 varieties of nature have evidently not heen cre- 

 ated Avith a view to the convenience of ticketing 

 and labelling in cabinets. We must therefore be 

 content with the best systems of classification we 

 can get, and be contented with the immense assist- 

 ance they afford us in our studies, without longing 

 for " perfect " ones, Avhich are impossible. 



The Dragon-fly family, as containing the most 

 conspicuous class of Neuropterous insects, and 

 more especially, such as are likely to add variety 

 and interest to Vivaria by the singularity of 

 their transformations, must receive our almost ex- 

 clusive attention in this Chapter, though one or two 

 other genera may come in for a small share of 

 notice. 



The Dragon-fly family have been divided into 

 two divisions, Libellulidce and Agrionidcc, the title of 

 the first division beins; derived from the name of the 



