3b2 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



of which the ant Hons are characteristic forms ; they constitute 

 the genus AscalapJms, and they are very pretty insects, which 

 are not unHke some of the Lepidoptera. They have long antennae, 

 which terminate in a large club-shaped end, like those of the 

 genus Argynnis ; their wings are very prettily tinted, and are 

 usually of a bright yellow colour, with black markings. Many 

 of them are to be found in Southern Europe, and their larvae, 

 whose habits are unknown, resembie those of the ant lions. In 

 the engraving on page 361 one of these perfect insects is repre- 

 sented on the right hand of the picture, above the trees. 



The Nc7noptcr(2 are remarkable for the great beauty of their 

 forms. They inhabit the shores of the Mediterranean, but unfor- 

 tunately very little is known about them. A perfect insect of 

 Ncuioptcra coa is represented in the engraving on page 361, and 

 its silken antennae are very fine and thread-like, whilst the hind 

 wings are very long, slender, and oar-shaped. The front wings 

 are broad and large, and are of a yellow sulphury colour, spotted 

 and figured with black. It is one of the prettiest of insects. 



The Henierobin(Z {r)[xepa, day ; /3to&), to live) are miniature myr- 

 meleons, and have long and slender antennae, and large and well- 

 veined wings. We may often notice these beautiful flies upon 

 rose and elder trees, and they can be recognised easily, on account 

 of their small heads being furnished with prominent, rounded, 

 brilliant eyes, which look like polished gold. The body of the 

 fly is of a delicate green colour, and the large wings, so beau- 

 tifully reticulated, reflect all the colours of the rainbow. 



These pretty insects are sluggish in their motions, and prefer 

 to fly by twilight. They lay their eggs upon plants, attaching them 

 by a long and narrow foot-stalk, which gives them the look of a 

 fungus. The larvae, more slender than those of the ant lions, 

 and destined to crawl and run over leaves and twigs, have a 

 peculiar structure on the foot to enable them to do this safely. 

 They live a life of constant warfare against the Aphides, or 

 plant lice, killing and eating them day after day, so that they 

 are called Aphis Lions. When they have attained their full 

 growth they spin a small cocoon of pure silk, and are trans- 

 formed into pupae. They live in this condition for fifteen days, 

 and then the perfect insect flies. These pretty Nairoptcra have 



