40 



HANDBOOK OF ANTS, BEES, ETC. 



and early part of the summer upon walls and palings in the 

 neighbourhood of water, and upon the stems and leaves of grasses 

 and other plants growing in the water or upon its bank. 



In repose the wings of this insect, as in the HemerolicidcB, are 

 laid over the back. They are sluggish creatures, and do not 

 readily take to flight. 



Family 5, RaphiidcB. — This family contains the curious group 

 of insects called "Snake Flies" or *' Camel Flies," which are 



Fig. 48.— Raphidia Ophiopsis (Mag.) 



included by some entomologists in the previous family. They 

 have characteristics, however, which entitle them to be placed 

 apart. They have a rather large head, which is attached to a 

 greatly elongated prothorax by a thinnish neck, so that the head 

 has considerable freedom of motion. The species are not 



Fig. 49. — Panorpa Communis. 



numerous, four kinds only occurring in Britain. The larvce 

 reside under the bark of trees, where they feed upon minute 

 insects. The commonest species is probably Raphidia viega- 

 cephala. 



Family 6, PanorpidcB. — The Fanorpidce, or Scorpion Flies, are 

 very curious creatures, characterised above all things by the 

 perpendicularly placed and greatly elongated head. 



