228 [February, 1873. 



been found in the intei'ior of tlie fresh-water sponge, but no doubt is 

 not confined to this situation, as the insect is often abundant where 

 there is no sjDonge. The discovery of the habits of some of the 

 exotic genera must decide the question as to whether they really 

 belong to this family : among these may be noticed the curious 

 Australian genus Psycliopsis. 



Semerohiidce and Ohrysopides. (Known as ^Aphis-lions' ' Golden- 

 eyes,'' '' Lace-ioimjs^ and ' Stinh-Jlies'). — Two families, which, in their 

 larva-states, feed upon Aphides, often covering themselves with the 

 empty skins of their prey. They may all be beaten out of trees, and 

 are easily captured. Certain species affect particular kinds of trees. 

 Fir-trees are always productive, both because they have species pecu- 

 liar to them, and afford convenient shelter for others. The species of 

 Hemerohius mostly sham death when in the net. The Ghrysopidce 

 frequently come to gas-lamps : they are very numerous in species, 

 and mostly of a delicate green colour, the eyes brilliantly golden or 

 coppery when alive. Though amongst the most beautifully delicate 

 of all insects, they are notorious for the power which some species 

 possess of emitting an intolei'ably disgusting smell of ordure when 

 handled, almost sufficient to cause the most enthusiastic entomologist 

 to fling them away at once, and seek for means whereby to free him- 

 self from what may be likened to a concentrated essence of cesspools. 

 Many of them, however, are perfectly inodorous. Some few (e. g., 

 Chrysopa vulgaris) corrode the pins very rapidly, and become almost 

 destroyed in the coui'se of a few years. C. vulgaris hibernates, and, 

 in winter, assumes a reddish colour. Their cocoons, like small white 

 peas, may be found on the plants where the larvae have been assisting 

 the horticulturist, and it is a matter of no little astonishment to the 

 uninitiated to observe so large an insect emerge from so tiny a 

 cocoon. Ee-set specimens should remain upon the setting boards for 

 a considerable time, much longer than is requisite for the powerful 

 dragon-flies ; and care should be taken in relaxing not to allow the 

 water to actually reach the wings, or these members become matted 

 together, and are sure to get torn in endeavours to spread them out. 



ConiopterygidcB. — Minute insects, wholly covered vdth a white, 

 waxy, pulverulent secretion, and which may be beaten from trees, 

 especially firs. Their treatment sliould be precisely similar to that 

 adopted for winged Psocidce. Some are so small that it is almost 

 impossible to spread the wings, unless the manipulator has already 

 had experience as a Micro-Lepidopteri^t. 



