Page:Insect Literature by Lafcadio Hearn.djvu/270

Rh it can change the direction of its course, or reverse the play of its wings with the sudden turn that suggested the modern Japanese word for a somersault,—tombogaeri ("dragonfly-turning"). In the dazzling rapidity of its flight—invisible but as a needle-gleam of darting color—they found a similitude for impermanency. But they perceived that this lightning flight was of short duration, and that the dragon-fly seldom travels far, unless pursued, preferring to flit about one spot all day long. Some thought it worth while to record in verse that at sunset all the dragon-flies flock towards the glow, and that they rise high in air when the sun sinks below the horizon,—as if they hoped to obtain from the altitudes one last sight of the vanishing splendor. They remarked that the dragon-fly cares nothing for flowers, and is apt to light upon stakes or stones rather than upon blossoms; and they wondered what pleasure it could find in resting on the rail of a fence or upon the horn of a cow. Also they marvelled at its stupidity when attacked with sticks or stones,—as often flying toward the danger as away from it. But they sympathized with its struggles in the spider’s net, and rejoiced to see it burst through the meshes. The following examples, selected from hundreds of compositions, will serve to suggest the wide range of these curious studies:— 註