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publishers have produced an admirable large coloured figure of it, from 
the pencil of Mr. E. C. Rye. — Finally, Messrs. Stollwerck Brothers, of 
Cologne, have prepared wax models of the insect in all its stages, which, 
although not accurate in every detail, give an excellent idea of this pigmy 
bugbear. 
Metamorphosis of the Dragon Fly . — According to a memoir presented to 
the French Academy of Sciences by M. Jousset de Bellesme ( u Comptes 
rendus,” August 20), the well-known enlargement of the body of the common 
dragon fly ( Libellula depressa), and the expansion of its wings, soon after its 
emergence from the skin of the pupa, are effected in a rather singular 
manner. The author says that the animal swallows a great quantity of air 
and collects it in the intestine, which is thus greatly distended, filling 
almost the whole body-cavity and pressing the other organs against the 
skin. u Under the influence of this energetic pressure,” he says, “ the 
blood is driven forcibly towards the periphery, distends the eyes, and gives 
the head its definitive form ; then, penetrating into the wing, between the 
two membranes which are separate up to this moment, it accumulates 
therein, unfolds it and circulates in it, depositing the pigment which is 
destined to colour it. At the same time the integuments, which are dis- 
tended and bathed by the nutritive fluid, become coloured and acquire the 
solidity necessary for the insect.” These statements are curious, if correct. 
G G 
NEW SERIESj YOL. I, — NO. IV. 
