SCIENTIFIC SURVEV. 205 



vial, and then, the wings can be folded together and the insects be 

 placed in bags, or pieces of paper, as directed for putting up Lepi- 

 doptera. The smaller, more slender and delicate species should 

 be pinned directly in the collecting box, &c. Many species are 

 caught by a light in the nighttime, such as Polystoechotes nebulosus 

 and the Phryganeidae ; and a bright light placed in damp situa- 

 tions by streams, &c., will attract large numbers. Like moths the 

 smaller species are attracted a great distance by light. Other 

 species of this family so numerous in New England, are found in 

 great numbers floating in the lakes and ponds of the wild lands of 

 Maine that are rare elsewhere. For the proper study of the genera 

 of these insects, and often of the species, they should be collected 

 in alcohol, so as to be studied in a flexible state. 



The aquatic larvae and pupae can easily be reared in aquaria in 

 jars and tumblers, taking care that the weaker species are sepa- 

 rated from those more powerful and bloodthirsty. The little ento- 

 mostraca or water-fleas serve as food for the smaller species. 

 With very little care many species can be raised in this way, and 

 so little is known of their transformation that figures and descrip- 

 tions would be of great value. The interesting and varied habits 

 of the different families can also easily be noted. They can be 

 called summer insects, since iew are found late in the fall or early 

 in the spring. Ilemerobius and several species of Phryganeids 

 are found ere the snow has*gone in the spring, — a few species of 

 the latter family are found in November. 



Jermitidae. White ants, so called, from their resemblance to 

 ants, and the snowy whiteness of their wings, and the pale colored 

 female, like the true ants, are social, living in communities ; while 

 the majority are wingless males, often called neuters. In the 

 winged individuals the wings are m\ich larger than the body, bein^ 

 folded, when at rest, one upon the other. The wingless individ- 

 uals have an enormous head with scissor-like mandibles. The 

 American white ant, Termes frontalis, has been found in Massachu- 

 setts ruining the roots and stems of the grape vine. The insect is 

 careful to conceal its work by leaving the outer crust intact. It 

 feeds on dead wood, eating the inside of the sill of the house next 

 to the grape vine. 



Esocidae. These little insects when winged, as most usual, and 

 flying about in August, have a remarkable resemblance to Aphides. 

 The body is soft and short ; the head is broader than the thorax ; 



