NEUROPTERA. 



j7«J 



the eyes large, the prothorax very Ion?. Bad the wings roof-like. Exotic species, [recently monographed by Erich- 

 son, of great interest from their apparent relationship with the order Orthoptera], 



lOijiitidiit, Linn., baa 4-jointed tarsi, the wings roof-like, the bead elongated and narrowed behind, prothorax 

 long, narrow, and subcylindric, and the abdomen of the females terminated by a long, exserted ovipositor, forasi d 

 of two valves. R. opMoptU, [the Snake-necked Fly, of rare occurrence in this country. Seethe mono g r ap h of 

 Schummel]. The larva lives in the fissures of the bark of trees, and has the form of a small snake: it is very 



active. 



Termes, Linn. (Hemerobius, Linn, [the winged males]), has also -l-jointcd tarsi, but the wings are carried hori- 

 zontally on the body, and very long; the bead rounded, and the prothorax short and sanare. The body is de- 

 pressed, with the antenna; short; the mouth very similar to that of the Orthoptera, with a four-cleft lower lip ; 



three ocelli, one rather indistinct; the «ings generally but slightly 

 transparent, coloured, with the oervurea not forming a close net- 



/WOrk, and the lfu's short. 

 fcr-l*\ L ;sVi '""' Termites peculiar to the tropical and adjacent countries, are 



. _-* iV\ j — -— ^P; -V known under the name of White Ants, and commit must extraor- 



dinary ravages, especially in the larva state, in which they are called 

 Workers, and are like the perfect insect, but with the body softer and 

 without wings, and the head generally larger, and destitute of eyes, or 

 nearly so. They are united into colonies of incalculable nam! 

 and live concealed in the interior of the earth, trees, and other 

 wooden matters, such as furniture, Bhelves, &c, in which they term 

 galleries, forming routes conducting to the centre of their nests, so 

 that these objects, of which the outer surface is [with surprising instinct] left untouched, fall to pieces on tbe 

 slightest touch. The nests of some species are external, but without any evident exit. Sometimes they are elevated 



Fl(f. 110.— White Ants: 1, W.rk, r; t, Sol. tier. 



lie in. — "i. NY' fatftle (ten or ttvelTi feel 



of Termcs ntrox. 



Neat 



t\f. 112. —7. S, ell < Hit' nest of Termel fatale 



i if- ii t'i eight feet 



> scale of one 



tu a u r rrat height above the surface, like pyramids, and are sometimes surrounded by a solid roof, which, from the 

 height and number of these insects, appear at a distance like a small village. Sometimes they affix their neal 



tin- branches of trees. Another sort of individual, termed Ni liters m Si Idler-, and which 1'ahricius mistook for 



pupa;, defend the nest. Thej have the bead much larger and longer, ami the mandibles arc very long and cross 

 over each other. Tiny are far ies S numerous than tbe larva), tad live near the ooter surlhoeof the nest, so that 



tiny make their appearance Inst when it is attacked ; they are also stated to compel the Workers to labour. The 

 demi-nymphs have the rudiments of wings, ami in other respects resemble the Larva;. 



When arrived at the perfect state, llie Termites quit 



their habitation, fly abroad during tin- evening or 

 night in great numbers ; they lose their wings before 

 morning, which dry, and falling to the earth, they 

 i.e. mi ii- the pre) of birds, lizards, &c. The couples are 



then colli' ted b\ tie- l.ii'Mi 1 , which ioclOSC each of them 



in a large cell ; bul Latreille conjectures that the act of 



Coupling takes place in the sir, as in the Ants, and that 



the females atone occupy the attention of the larva m 

 onler to tie- establishment of fresh colonies, 'i he ab- 

 domen of tbe female subsequently ae. pines an • 



inoussize, from theinnu rable eggs which it contains. 



The royal chamber occupies the centre of the habits 



tion, and around it are distributed those which con- 

 tain ' nil pl.e. I- 



Some larva- of 1'imrt riantm have eyes, and appear 

 to have habits somewhat different to the rest, ami to appronrh mir Ants. 



n s an i Hottentots are v< n fond of thi - 



p p 2 





