65 



Order 6. Oethoptera. (Greek : Orthos straight, and Pterm a wing.) Includes 

 Fig. 63. Grasshoppers, Locusts, Crickets, Cockroaches, &c. Four wings, 



the anterior pair of which are somewhat thickened to protect the broad 

 net veined hinder pair, which fold up like a fan upon the abdomen, in long 

 straight folds. The hind legs are large and thick, and adapted for leap- 

 ing. Mouth furnished with strone jaws for biting and masticatine. 



y/^^By\ Order 7. Neuroptera, 



^^■^ (Greek : Neuron a nerve, and 



\ ^r { Pteron a wing). Includes Dra- 



V '^ V gon-flies (Fig. 64 ), Jlay-flies, 



Caddis-flies, Termites, Lace 

 winged flies, etc., Four thin, glassy wings, very 

 finely reticulated, or covered with a fine net- 

 work of veins or nerves. The mouth la usually 

 furnished with biting jawa. 



L TioEB Beetles (Cidndelidcg). 



Having now enumerated the various Orders into which Insects are divided, and their 

 chief characteristics, it remains for us to select one for our consideration here, in respect to 

 those of its members who may be deemed directly or indirectly beneficial to mankind. We 

 have decided upon beginning with theBeetles(CWto/)/cn(), partly because they are very favour- 

 ite objects of study with Entomologists, and partly because they present strongly marked 

 peculiarities both in structure and hat. its, and are very abundantly distributed everywhere. 

 The first family of Beetles is the Cicinddidce, of which we have only one genus, Ckinde/a. in 

 Canada. This name, derived from the Latin, signifies a Glow-worm or bright shining insect, 

 and is applied to them on acftount of their bright metallic colours, which sparkle in the sun- 

 shine. InEnglish they are commonly called Tiger-beetles from their fierce disposition and habit 

 of leaping upon their prey. They feed entirely upon other insects, both in the larval or grub 

 state, and when they attain to the winged or beetle condition. Their favourite haunts are 

 wa'm sunny bunks, Andy roads, railway tracks, or other spots exposed to the full glare of the 

 sun, and free from vegetation, which would impede their movements. Some species, however, 

 frequent grassy places on the borders of woods and among scattered trees. At the approach 

 of the passerby they suddenly take wing, and fly with great rapidity for a few yards before 

 him, alighting again as suddeuly as they rose, but always with their heads turned in the 

 direction of the approaching danger. The same individual may be started up again and 

 again, but after a few alarms, when he begins to find himself the object of a particular pur.suit, 

 he craftily eludes further persecution by making a long and circuitous flight back to his for- 

 mer station. By carefully marking where he goes, and going quietly back, we have often 

 succeeded in finding the desired specimen careless and off his guard, and captured him even 

 without the aid of a net. lu cloudy or stormy weather they hide themselves in some con- 

 venient retreat, but they soon re-appear with the returning sunshine. 



The eggs are laid in the earth, where the grubs that arc hatched from them also spend 

 their lives. These grubs or larvae are very curious creatures, and well repay a little observa- 

 tion. It would bo difiicult to describe their form so as to render them easily recognizable to 



the reader, but the accompanying cut ( Fig. 65. ) will afford a sufficiently good idea 



of their appearance. 



It will be seen that they have a pair of tremendous, curved jaws, three pairs of 



legs, and a pair of very curious recurved hooks or spines on the eighth segment 



towards the tail. They are of a yellowLsh white colour with a brownish horny head. 



They live in deep round holes, about the diameter of a lead pencil, the orifice 

 which they usually close with their heads. No sooner does any unsuspecting insect approach 

 sufficiently near than it is seized by a sudden effort, and carried off to the bottom of the hole, 

 there to be devoured at leisure. The larva lives in this manner throu°;hout the summer, and 



Fig. 65. 



