THE DRAGON-FLY. 
192 
which it received air in perfect security. This veil be- 
ing formed of elastic threads, and opening upon pres- 
sure, would constitute no impediment to the escape of 
the fly when perfected. More care and forethought 
than these contrivances manifest, we are not acquainted 
with for any order of beings. I conjecture it would 
have produced the emperor moth. 
June 16. — >1 this day captured in a neighboring 
meadow a fine specimen of the four-spotted dragon-fly 
(libellula quadrimaculata), and note this for my entomo- 
logical friends ; being the first certain instance I am 
acquainted with of its being taken in England of late 
years, for Ray mentions it. Another, I believe, escaped 
by its shyness. It is a handsome creature, about three 
inches in breadth between the extremities of its wings. 
The two dark linear marks on the upper margin of each 
wing, and tapering downy body, distinguish this fly 
from any other. I can add nothing regarding its history 
or manners. 
The ghost moth (hepialus humuli) is commonly seen 
here, as I believe it to be in most other places, but 
is mentioned to point out to any young person unac- 
quainted with this insect its singular habit when on the 
wing, which at once distinguishes it from any other 
moth. The larva which produces this creature is hidden 
in the ground during the season of winter; the fly 
being formed in the month of May, and soon rising 
from the soil, then commences its short career. At this 
time one or more of them may frequently be observed 
under some hedge in a mead, or some low place in a 
damp pasture, only a few feet from the ground, perse- 
vering for a length of time together in a very irregular 
flight, rising, and falling, and balancing about in a space 
not exceeding a few yards in circumference, an action 
not observable in any other, and fully indicating this 
moth. This procedure is not the meanless vagary of the 
hour, but a frolicsome dance, the wooing of its mate, 
which lies concealed in the herbage over which it sports. 
The two insects are something similar in their general 
form, but very differently marked. The male exhibitor 
is known by its four glossy, satiny, white wings, border- 
