A TO UNQ NATURALIST. 



163 



called because of the veins on its four wings. This insect 

 first lives in the water in the form of a larva, in which state 

 it remains a year — it is very much like the insect you are 

 holding, only, all that can be seen of its wings are small 

 swellings, which grow longer each time the animal changes 

 its skin. This swelling is a sort of sheath to the beautiful 

 gauzy wings which distinguish all the Neuroptera, and the 

 dragon-fly in particular." 



" What ! does the dragon-fly begin its life by living in 

 water like a fish ?" 



" Yes, and they are quite as voracious in that state as 

 when they are perfect insects. The larva changes to a 

 grub, and greedily devours water-lizards and young fish; 

 after a certain time, which varies according to the species, 

 it rises to the top of the water by crawling up a reed, and 

 remains perfectly motionless, exposed to the rays of the 

 sun ; suddenly, the skin covering the head bursts open, and 

 the dragon-fly, spotted with black, blue, and green, takes 

 flight, and loses no time in darting upon the first insect 

 which comes within its reach." 



My lecture was interrupted by the cry of " Hallo ! 

 hallo !" from TEncuerado. It was his substitute for a 

 dinner-bell. 



