NEUROPTERA. 



C H A P T E R T. 



LIBELLULIDJ^. 



The next order of insects is appropriately named Neuroptera, 

 i.e. jSTerve-winged Insects. It comprises the Dragon Flies, Ant 

 Lions, Lace-winged Flies, May Flies, and the insects which are 

 popularly, though wrongly, called White Ants. In this order 

 the wings are four in number, the upper being used for flight, 

 and not employed as a protection for the lower pair. They are 

 divided into a vast number of cellular spaces by means of bold 

 nervures, thus giving to the insects the name of Neuroptera. 

 No other order of insects has the wings divided into so many 

 cells as is the case with the jSTeuroptera. 



As a rule the wings are of the same size, but in many cases 

 the hinder pair are very much narrowed, in some species being 

 little more than narrow threads. Sometimes the hind wings 

 are absent altogether, and in some species both pairs of 

 wings are absent. Indeed, although there is little difficulty 

 in referring insects to this order, the characteristics are so 

 variable that, as Mr. Westwood very justly remarks, there is 

 scarcely one which does not meet witli an exception. 



The best known group of the order is the Libellulidpe, 

 popularly known by the name of Dragon Flies, in consequence 

 of the swiftness and voracity displayed by these insects. 



In England they are often known as Horse-stingers, from an 



absurd idea that they possess stings. This notion has evidently 



arisen from the facility with which a Dragon Fly can bend its 



long abdomen, the movement bearing some resemblance to that 



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