in the form of a dragonfly; mother of pearl, silk and cowhide glue (Nikawa), 1875 The wings are made from very thin sheets of mother-of-pearl with silk net and iron wires attached to the underside with Nikawa, or cowhide glue, a natural adhesive. The silk net was probably attached to the mother of pearl to strengthen it. The insect's head, thorax and abdomen are made from tinned iron and the eyes have been painted with red lacquer. Its four surviving legs are made from twisted tinned iron wire. The dragonfly has been set on a spring, en tremblant, and it is supported on a two-pronged copper alloy hair pin.