52 NEUROPTERA. 



This order derives its name from two Greek words, 

 one meaning " a nerve," the other " a wing," and is 

 applied to these insects whose wings are divided by a 

 great quantity of nervures into a greater number of 

 spaces {areolce) than is seen in any other of the orders. 

 The beautiful Dragon-flies, the May-flies or yellow and 

 grey drakes of the Fly-fisher, the delicate Lace- winged- 

 flies, the brown and white speckled Scorpion-fly, the 

 sluggish Stone-fly, often in the season to be seen resting 

 on stones, palings, or bridges near running streams, the 

 Alder-fly, with wings of modest brown and strongly 

 veined, covering the body with roof-like position ; these 

 are some of the common examples of this order of 

 insects, which may be seen in their seasons in the 

 Spring, Summer, and Autumn. 



The metamorphosis in the Neuroptera is more com- 

 plete than in the Orthoptera, the larvse and pupae 

 generally exhibiting less resemblance to the perfect 

 insect than in that order, but the metamorphosis is va- 

 riable in the groups composing the Neuroptera. In their 

 habits and economy also there is great dissimilarity, but 

 by far the greater part are carnivorous. In their larval 

 condition their abodes are various, some larvai reside in 

 the water, others in damp mud and sand, some conceal 

 themselves under a cloak of excrement, others live ex- 

 posed on plants. Various proposals have been made 

 for the classification of the Neuroptera. We will pass 

 over these and consider the different families com- 

 posing this order that are represented in our own 

 country. Let us begin with the LibellaUdie or Dragon- 

 fly tribe. Who has not many a time stopped in his 

 walk to watch the bold and rapid flight of some of the 



