ORDER NEUROPTERA. 



45 



The yEschnidm contain some of the largest members found. 

 The great dragon fly {^schna grandis) is one of these. It is 

 nearly three inches long and four inches in expanse of the wings, 

 and is of a light rusty-brown colour with a few pale markings.- 



Of the Goinphid(2 only four species inhabit our own country. 



Gomphus indgatissimus is a black insect, nearly two inches long, 

 with yellow bands on the thorax, and a line of the same colour 

 along the back of the abdomen. 



Family 2, Agromnce. — This family contains a number of 

 slender-bodied insects. There are two sub-families. 



The Agrionid(z are a very numerous group. The typical form, 



Fig. 55. — Calopteryx Virgo (Male). 



Agrion puella^ which is a beautiful, slender creature, measures 

 about two or two and a half inches in expanse of the wings. 

 The abdomen of the male is banded with azure blue, that of the 

 female being brassy-black. 



The Calopierygidce. contain only two British species — viz., 

 Calopteryx virgo and C. splendens. 



Tribe II.— Subulicornia. 



The second tribe of the Pseiido-neuroptera contains a group of 

 insects which are so similar to one another in form that they are 

 all included in one family. 



Fa??iily 3, EphevieridcB. — The Ephe7nerid(B, or Day Flies, as they 

 are popularly called, are delicate, elongated, soft-bodied creatures, 

 with a moderately small head. The antennae, which spring from 



