[ 35 ] 



pre^^ciou6 c^ iparaeitic lEnemtce of Bphtbce 



(^ncluDino a Stu&» of 1F5>?per*para6ites). 



Bv H. C. A. Vine. 

 Part III. — (concluded). Plates I. and II. 



IN the foregoing studies of Aphis-eating insects which have 

 appeared in these pages, I have endeavoured to show the 

 connection of each of the species under immediate observa- 

 tion with those nearly allied to it, and at the same time to indicate 

 the position held by the particular group in the systems of classifi- 

 cation which have been established by leading naturalists. 



In order to follow this course with the Neuropterous Aphis- 

 eaters, it is necessary to go somewhat further. The position of 

 the typical forms of the order has long been the subject of dispute, 

 and as it involves the question whether or not the Aphis-eating 

 families are to become the types of the order, it perhaps will not 

 weary the reader too much to examine in the present section some 

 of the evidence bearing upon this important point 



I have already alluded to the very remarkable and wide differ- 

 ences of structural detail in the species of the Neuroptera, and 

 these, combined with the fact that a number of families undergo 

 what has been called an ' incomplete ' metamorphosis, have led 

 many naturalists to pass by the strongly marked features connect- 

 ing the dragon-flies and allied sections with the lace-wings and 

 caddis-flies, and to transfer all those species which are active, and 

 continue to feed, during their pupal existence, to the Orthoptera, 

 the ' incomplete ' metamorphoses of which are, however, of a very 

 different type to those of the species which it is thus proposed to 

 associate with them. 



To discuss at length the whole question of the value of the 

 form of metamorphosis as an ordinal character would be beyond 

 my present scope, and would import into my subject much that 

 would be wholly unconnected with it ; but before passing on we 

 may usefully glance at some important points, and note the views 

 which have been expressed by naturalists who have been favoured 

 with especial opportunity of forming correct conclusions. 



Mr. G. B. Buckton, in his recently published work on one of 



