"From head to tail," for the nymph-cuticle splits lengthwise down the back, and the head and thorax of the imago are freed from it (fig. 8 _a_), then the legs clasp the empty cuticle, and the abdomen is drawn out (fig. 8 _b, c_). After a short rest, the newly-emerged fly climbs yet higher up the water-weed, and remains for some hours with the abdomen bent concave dorsalwards (fig. 8 _d_), to allow space for the expansion and hardening of the wings. For some days after emergence the cuticle of the dragon-fly has a dull pale hue, as compared with the dark or brightly metallic aspect that characterises it when fully mature. The life of the imago endures but a short time compared with the long aquatic larval and nymphal stages. After some weeks, or at most a few months, the dragon-flies, having paired and laid their eggs, die before the approach of winter.