NATURAL HISTORY. 
227 
fticks faft to a bit of dry wood. Its fkin, 
grown parched, fplits at the upper part of 
the thorax. The winged infeft iffues forth 
gradually, throws off its flough, expands 
its wings, flutters, and then flies off with 
gracefulnefs and eafe. The elegance of its 
flender fliape, the richnefs of its colours, the 
delicacy and refplendent texture of its wings, 
afford infinite delight to the beholder. 
In order to accomplifli the purpofe of na- 
ture, the male, while hovering about, watch- 
es, and then feiz.es the female by the head, 
with the pincers with which the extremity 
of its tail is armed. The ravifher travels 
thus through the air, till the female yeilds 
to his fuperior ftrength. Thefe flies arc 
feen thus coupled in the air, exhibiting the 
form of a ring. The female depollts her eggs 
in the water, from whence fpring water- 
worms, which afterwards undergo the fame 
transformations. 
LIBELLULA GRANDIS. 
fT/ze G R E A T DAMSEL. 
TT II I S fpecies is the largcft of any this 
country affords. Its head is yellow, efpeci- 
ally forwards ; its eyes are brown, and be- 
ing very large, meet on the top of the head, 
and are often fet with dots, raifed and ftiin- 
ing 
