[36 
PLAT2 ALIN. 
Ts LAR TA 
OF THE 
LIBELLULA DEPRESSA. 
Me - 5 
In Plate 24 of this work we have reprefented the Lrprtnuna 
Depressa in the winged ftate, and our prefent Figure is, of the 
Larva of that Infe&t. We have before defcribed it as a favage vora~ 
cious creature in every flate of its exiftence. The Larva, which is 
an aquatic, feeds on Infeéts of that element; and when it becomes 
adult, Moths, Butterflies, and other winged Infeéts are its prey. As 
Lepidopterous Infeéts are not provided with any weapons, defenfive or 
offenfive, it will encounter the largeft, grafp them in its claws, and 
tear them to pieces. Its mouth is fpacious, and well adapted for that 
purpofe. 
The Larve of moft winged Infects pafs to the Aurelia, or Chryfalis 
ftate, and thence produce the Fly; but the Larva of the Libellule 
never undergoes that change, and though its appearance is altered 
feveral times in its progrefs to perfection, it does not become dormant. 
When the ultimate period of its laft change arrives, it crawls to the 
bank, or fide of the ditch, and affixing its legs firmly to the ground, 
or grafs, it collects all its ftrength, and by one violent effort the fu- 
ture between the Thorax and Abdomen is broken, whence the Head 
and Thorax is protruded; after fome paufe the exuvia is caft off, and 
the Wings, which were before enwrapped in the fhort cafes at the 
bottom of the Thorax, expand. The creature now entirely formed 
for flight, only waits a fhort time to exhale the fuperfluous moifture, 
and then rufhes into the air, to {pread havoc and diforder. 
PLATE 
