Part 11

The dragon fly family is also a very old one.

Indeed, it is one of the oldest families on earth.

Long before there were bees or butterflies or dogs or horses or human beings, there were dragon flies.

Don't you suppose that may be why the dragon fly is such a strange-looking insect?

It does not look like other insects; it is very old-fashioned, like the pine trees.

Pine trees, too, belong to a very old plant family that lived long ago, before there were oaks or maples, or other trees that shed their leaves.

Now we must go home.

Good-by, green frog, you may come back to your log now.

Good-by, pretty dragon fly people, we shall never forget you.

Good-by, pleasant pond and moss-grown log, we hope to see you often again.

THE FAIRY MAY FLIES

Come, children, and see! Hundreds and hundreds of them are dancing about.

What are they? Yes, May, they do make us think of the dragon flies, but they are like fairy demoiselles.

They are the May flies, fairy ships sailing in the sea of air.

See how they are tossed about.

Many have fallen to the ground, which is covered with them.

They live but a day, or sometimes only a few hours, and so they are called day flies, and also ephemerae, which means short-lived.

They have eyes, as you can see, little round eyes, but their mouth is so tiny they cannot eat.

Strange little beings to come into the world so helpless!

How different from the strong, fierce dragon flies!

See their dainty little legs. Six, you see, and legs and wings grow out from the thorax.

Have they an abdomen?

See the long threads at the end of it, they look like slender tails. How they spread these threads out as they fly!

They have four wings, but the wings are not shaped like those of the dragon fly, and they are very much more delicate.

Yes, May, I agree with you, they look like fine lace.

The fore wings, you see, are larger than the hind ones.

Richard asks, "Where do May flies come from? and why are they called May flies?"

Now, Richard, one question at a time, if you please, and the last shall come first because it is easier to answer.