3^ 
of Wight, the latter coming from the marshes, and the former from the 
higher land. Mr. Southey, a series of Gortyna flavago from Highgate 
Woods. Mr. Battley, Goriyna flavago from Clapton, together with the 
preserved larva, pupa, and cocoon. Mr. Clark, a fine confluent spotted 
specimen of Argynnis aglaia from Bevendean (vide, p. 37); also various 
species of dragonflies. Mr. Riches, various species of lepidoptera and 
dragonflies from India and England. Mr. Hollis, dragonflies, and 
specimens of other orders. Mr. Milton, several species of dragonflies 
in various stages. Mr. Heasler, Diplax flaviola from Clapham. 
Coleoptera :—Mr. Cripps, Cleonus nebulosns from Esher sandpits. 
Mr. Milton then read his paper on “ Dragonflies.” He stated that 
these insects had recently been separated from the Neuroptera, and 
placed in an order by themselves, called Odonata. They were divided 
into two families, and these again into six sub-families, which were 
chiefly separated by the structure of the eyes and wings. In the sub¬ 
family Libellulidce , the hind wings are larger than the front, and dilated 
at the base, upper part of clypeus or face grooved, eyes not prolonged 
backwards, abdomen short. In Corduliidce the eyes are slightly pro¬ 
longed backwards. Gomphidce has the eyes not contiguous, upper part 
of clypeus rather round, abdomen club-shaped in the male, and wings 
unequal, In the fourth sub-family, the AEschnidce , the eyes are com¬ 
pletely contiguous and wings unequal, they also have an opaque 
triangular spot at the base of the hind wing. The second division 
contains two sub-families, the first of which, the Calopterygidce, are dis¬ 
tinguished by their wings being equal, eyes not contiguous, and head 
barrel-shaped and horizontal. The last sub-family, the Agrionidce, are 
very similar to the Calopterygidce , but much smaller. He then remarked 
on the life-history of dragonflies. The ova are deposited on aquatic 
plants, sometimes below the surface of the water. The larvae feed on 
small animals, and for this purpose have the lower lip prolonged and 
ending in a claw, with which they capture their food. They breathe by 
inflating the intestine with water, when the tracheae, with which the 
intestine is lined, absorb the air held in suspension by the water. The 
larva has the power of expelling this water with such force that it pro¬ 
jects itself for some distance. Before emerging from the pupae they 
crawl up some water plant and fasten themselves to it, the pupa-case 
then bursts and the insect appears. At first they are brownish in colour, 
their bright colours not being developed until they have been on the 
wing some days. Their food consists of various insects, which they 
capture on the wing. In doing this they are assisted by being able to 
fly in any direction without turning. The genital organs of the male 
are placed in the thorax, being thus different to all other insects. 
Mr. Bellamy referred to the popular name (horse-stingers) given to 
these insects, and asked whether they would attack animals or men. 
Mr. Tutt stated that he had noticed AE.schna grandis hawking for food 
at dusk, and asked whether this was usual. He also remarked on the 
development of the colours in the imagines some time after exclusion. 
Mr. Clark had also taken AE. grandis at dusk, in the New Forest. Mr. 
Milton, in replying, stated that dragonflies had no sting, and that he did 
not think they ever attacked animals. With reference to AEschna grandis, 
he had never seen it on the wing at dusk, but he once took a specimen on 
a lamp, showing that they occasionally flew after dark, and were then 
