1873.1 227 



the long slender-bodied species it is best to insert something in the 

 body. Both these and Mi/rmeleonidos may be sent home in paper en- 

 velopes, as noticed for Dragon-flies, though it is not here so advisable ; 

 but if this be done, it is especially desirable not to place them in the 

 envelojies until fully dry. 



Nemopteridoe. — One of the most extraordinary groups, the under- 

 mngs being extremely long and narrow, whereas the fore-wings are 

 short and broad. The species are not numerous, and next to nothing 

 has yet been recorded concerning their habits : they are peculiar to 

 the old world, and frequent hot and arid situations. The most hand- 

 some species are found in the South of Europe. Care must be taken 

 not to injure the long tail-like hind-wings, which are sometimes so 

 slender as to be reduced to mere long threads ; but several of them 

 have these wings oddly dilated immediately before the tips. 



Mantisjyidce. — Yet another group not found in Britain, and even 

 feebly represented in Europe. Noticeable for the elongated prothorax 

 (as in Bapliidia, only that the legs are attached to the anterior in- 

 stead of the posterior end), and for the remarkably constructed 

 anterior legs, which have very long coxae, and strongly dilated rap- 

 torial femora, the tibise and tarsi being much aborted. The exotic 

 species are very numerous. The larva of the European Mantispa 

 styriaca has the peculiar habit of living in the nests of spiders, feeding 

 upon their eggs and young ; and an allied genus, TricTioscelia, found 

 in South America, infests the large papyratious arboreal nests of 

 Hymenopterous insects. This clue may be of service to collectors, 

 especially as most species seem to be rather abundant where they 

 occur, frequenting herbage and undergrowth. Their preservation 

 calls for no particular remark, unless it be to exercise care in dealing 

 with the legs. 



NympliidaB. — A small (chiefly Australian) family, concerning the 

 habits of which we have no information. The typical Kymphes myr- 

 meleonides is a large handsome insect, much resembling an Ant-lion. 



OsmylidcB. — Represented in Bi-itain (and Europe) by two genera, 

 Os7nylus and Sisyra, both aquatic in their larva-states, and frequenting 

 rather swiftly-flowing streams. The handsome Osmylus is seldom seen 

 on the wing, but may be easily brushed or beaten out of trees over- 

 hanging streams. The small Sisyrce are often abundant among the 

 herbage bordering streams, and the larva of the common species has 



