402 PREDACIOUS AND PARASITIC 



In all the genera of ffemerobiince the pupae are far smaller than 

 the larvae ; in Chrysopa^ about one-half the size ; and are so 

 utterly disproportioned to the large insects that emerge from them 

 that it is difficult to believe, after the metamorphosis is complete, 

 that there can be any connection between the very small pupa- 

 case and the handsome fly. Dr. Fitch remarks that it is as if a 

 full-grown larva had hatched from an ordinary egg. 



The Classification of Aphis-Eating Neuroptera. 



The classification of the Aphidivorous genera of the Neurop- 

 tera has become strangely confused, the names of one or another 

 genus having at different times not only being altered, but trans- 

 posed. At present it will not be needful to address ourselves to 

 the vexed question of the transference of certain families of the 

 original order or to the Orthoptera, as has been done by some 

 naturalists, inasmuch as the Aphis-eaters are to be found among 

 those genera which are peculiarly typical of the Linnean order of 

 Neuroptera. But if it be possible in a future section, it will be 

 extremely interesting to consider the evidence of relationship 

 between those genera and some genera of the Odonata. 



In order to enable the reader to see at once the views of 

 leading writers on the position of the genera of He?nerobimcB, I 

 shall give the classification adopted by them, commencing with 

 that of Professor Westwood. He divides the order as follows : — 



Order, NEUROPTERA (Linneus). 



Families. — Psocidce (Leach), Book Mites. 

 Perlidce „ Stone flies. 

 Ephemerid(B ,, Day fly. 

 Libellulidcd (Westwood), Dragon flies. 



Sub-fam. — Agrionides (Westwood) . 



HenierobiidcB (Leach), Lace-wings. 

 SialidcB (Leach), Alder flies. 

 Panorpid(B (Leach), Scorpion flies. 



Family Honerobiidm : — 



Genus Osmylus (Latreille). Ocelli, three, placed in triangle 

 on forehead. 



