are:—1. Libellula, dragon-fly.—2. Ephemera, May-fly, or trout-fly, &c.

The libellula, or dragon-fly, is an insect of very splendid and variegated colours. It is a large and well known fly, and frequents rivers, lakes, pools, and stagnating waters, in which the females deposit their eggs. The egg, when deposited by the parent in the water, sinks to the bottom, and remains there till the young insect has acquired sufficient maturity and strength to burst from its confinement. The larva, at first small increases to nearly half the size of the perfect fly, by changing its skin at different intervals like the caterpillars of moths and butterflies. The appearance of the little cases containing the rudiments of the wings, at the lower margin of the thorax, denotes its change to the state of pupa. The head of this larva is exceedingly singular, being covered with a mask extending over the whole of the fore part of the head, with cavities in the anterior surface to suit the different prominences of the face to which it is fitted with perfect neatness. Its form is triangular, growing smaller towards the bottom: in the latter part there is a knuckle which fits a cavity near the neck, and on this part it turns as on a pivot. The upper part of this mask is divided into two pieces, which the insect can open or close at pleasure, and it can also let down the whole mask, should occasion require. The inner edges of these two pieces are toothed like a saw, and serve the animal as a pair of forceps to seize and retain its prey. This is the general principle on which these projecting forceps are constructed in the larva of the libellulæ; they differ in shape in the several species, but uniformly act in a similar manner.

These animals generally live and feed at the bottom of water, swimming only occasionally. Their motion in the water can scarcely be called swimming; it is accomplished by sudden jerks repeated at intervals. This motion is not occasioned by their legs, which at this time are kept immoveable and close to the body: it is by forcing out a stream of water from the tail that the body is carried forward, as may be easily perceived by placing them in a flat vessel, in which there is only just water enough to cover the bottom. Here the action of the water squirted from their tail will be very visible; it will occasion a small current, and give sensible motion to any light bodies that are lying on the surface. This action can only be effected at intervals, because after each ejaculation the insect is obliged to take a fresh supply of water. The larva will sometimes turn its tail above the surface of the water, and force out a small stream, as from a little fountain, and with considerable force.

Under the same order is comprehended the phryganea, or spring-fly: the caterpillars of this genus live in the water, and are covered with a silken tube. They have a very singular aspect; for, by means of a gluten, they attach to the tubes in which they are enclosed small pieces of wood, sand, gravel, leaves of plants, and not unfrequently live on testaceous animals, all of which they drag along with them. They are very commonly found on the leaves of the water-cress; and, as they are often entirely covered with them, they have the appearance of animated plants. They are in great request among fishermen, by whom they are distinguished by the name of stone or cod-bait. The fly, or perfect insect, frequents running water, in which the females deposit their eggs.

CHEAP AND ELEGANT CARPETS.

On the 6th of September, the Society for the encouragement of national industry at Paris, granted to Mr. Chenavard, (Boulevard St. Antoine, No. 65, Paris) the premium of 1200 francs, which had been promised to the person who could manufacture, at the lowest price, the kind of carpet best calculated for low and damp habitations. The most complete success in the making of this article rewarded the exertions of Mr. C. whose manufacturing ingenuity, in a great variety of branches is well known, and who is particularly celebrated for his rich and tasty paper and stuff hangings. Mr. C. has most satisfactorily fulfilled the proposed object of the said Society, and it is asserted impossible better to combine, in that branch of industry, cheapness, elegance and solidity. The new invented article is a sort of varnished felt, far superior to any thing of the kind that was ever manufactured in England, with which stone floors, marbles, mosaics, and even the finest carpets of Persia can be imitated. It is not dearer than the coarsest mats. A square foot of it may be purchased for 4 sols: so that the quantity which is necessary for a room 24 feet by 20, would amount to no more than 48 francs, or about 9 dollars. 14 cents. Mr. C. is now giving his attention to a new kind of winter carpet, which its cheapness and superior qualities will make a valuable acquisition to the lovers of comfort.

From Jacob's Travels.

CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS IN HOLLAND.

After passing through the small town of Liss, the road continued with the sandhills in perfect barrenness till we approached that city; whose entrance is decorated with country seats of considerable magnificence and beautiful flower gardens which supply bulbs to the horticulturists of their own country, as well as furnish the most beautiful specimens of flowers to the rest of Europe.

The attention of the cultivation of flower roots and seeds, independent of the elegance of the pursuit, has by the profits it has brought become an object of some importance. It is the source of prosperity to many respectable families, and in some measure lays all Europe under obligations which are repaid by profit to the cultivators. The number of flower-gardeners is not above twelve or thirteen, but the operations of each are very extensive. It is said, that there are more than twenty acres of land devoted solely to the cultivation of hyacinths, and a large portion to tulips, and other flowers. These flowers are principally sold when in full bloom in Amsterdam, where there is a weekly market on Sunday afternoon, and the whole of Monday; the trade, however, has vastly declined of late years, having sunk in weekly returns from 15,000 to 3,000 florins. The tulip mania which afflicted Holland in the years 1636 and 1637, and which involved so many families in ruin, has long ceased; but in 1730, a hyacinth-mania, inferior to it indeed, but equally ridiculous, prevailed: and speculations were made in those flowers to a considerable extent, so that some single bulbs were sold as high as sixty or seventy pounds. There can be no doubt but the taste for cultivating flower gardens, which has extended itself over almost the whole of Europe, may be traced to this country, which furnishes bulbs and seeds till the intervention of successive wars and their interruptions to communication, induced the other nations to propagate those flowers at home, whose growth was most congenial to their soil and climate.

From Lyman's "Political State of Italy."

A VISIT TO TWO NUNNERIES IN ROME.

I obtained permission to visit the nunnery called "Tor di Specchio," one of the richest and most respectable of Rome, having twenty-one nuns, great rents, and requiring one thousand eight hundred dollars of expenses for the ceremony of vestire. I was received in a room just beyond the grate in which the confessor of the convent, a red faced, good natured looking man, was warming himself; a 'converse' spinning flax, and the sister whose duty it was to wait in the room for the week. In the garden, great numbers of roses and other flowers were cultivated. I was led through several corridors, at the end of each of which was placed an image of the Saviour or the Virgin, with a lamp burning before it. In the corridor