THE DRAGONFLIES OP EPPING FOREST. 3
common at the shallower ponds. The earliest specimen was
seen on June 3rd ; it was secured, and proved to be an incom-
pletely coloured male. The latest observation made was on July
22nd. It is a curious fact that, unlike other observers, we have
never seen L. depressa flying except over water.
(6) Cordulia cenea.—Single specimens of this species—then
entirely new to us in the living state—were obtained at ponds near
Loughton, June 5th and 10th. A little later it became quite com-
mon at a locality further to the north, where we took no fewer than
eight examples on June 17th, and four more on July 1st, the last
occasion upon which we saw it. All the specimens taken were
males, and no immature individuals were noticed. Our atten-
tion was drawn by Mr. Lucas to the large size of these insects,
and, upon measuring them, we found the smallest to be 49.5 mm.
in length and 71 mm. across the hind wings, and the largest
to be 535 mm. long and 72 mm. in expanse. Females were
very seldom seen—probably they were actually very scarce—but
on July 1st we had opportunities for watching two of the sex
engaged in the business of oviposition. While so employed they
neither received assistance from the males nor sought support
from the water-plants, but they dropped their eggs into the
water, apparently at random, while hovering upon the wing.
C. aenea is a beautiful creature to look at in the hand, but
it is not very attractive when seen hawking for its prey. An
exception must be made, however, in favour of its eyes, the
liquid emerald-green of which immediately arrests attention and
excites admiration. It is not so difficult to capture as are most
of the other larger dragonflies, for its flight, which is very
characteristic, is not so erratic, and it is not alarmed so
readily. Although it can fly strongly on occasion, it usually
glides over the water at one uniformly low level, and quite
close to the margins of the pond. It seems to avoid alighting
on low herbage, and to prefer resting on bushes surrounding the
pond.
(7) Enallagma cyathigerum was collected pretty frequently
at the particular localities where it occurs from June 10th to
August 26th. On the first-named date a blue female was taken
attached per collum to a very brilliantly coloured male, and
a female of the typical form was obtained at Walthamstow on
July 8th.
(8) Libellula quadrimaculata is always scarce in Epping
Forest, and for the only specimen obtained during 1906 our
thanks are due to a stranger. On June 17th, he, seeing us
engaged with other dragonflies, himself pursued and secured a
male, which he afterwards kindly gave to us.
(9) Anax imperator was much commoner than usual, but a
male taken on July 1st was the only specimen secured. On the
date named we watched two females ovipositing, without any aid