26 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



The Trichoptera are evidently nearly allied to the Lepidoptera, 

 many of the Leptoceridce bearing considerable resemblance to 

 moths. Doctors differ very considerably on the question of the 

 nearest allies of the Trichoptera. Our greatest living authority 

 on the group lays great stress on their resemblances to the 

 Lepidoptera. Prof. Westwood also wrote long ago that the genus 

 Phryganea " forms the connecting link between the Neuroptera 

 and Lepidoptera." On the other hand, the well-known American 

 entomologist and, be it said, embryologist, at the same time, 

 Dr. Packard, maintains as strongly their affinities. A discussion 

 of the 2^ros and co7is in the matter would, however, be out of place 

 in a paper like the present. 



Some entomologists divide the Linnean order Neuroptera into 

 two independent orders, owing to variations in the metamor- 

 phosis and the development of the mouth-organs : in some 

 species, such as the dragon-flies, these organs are highly deve- 

 loped, which gives to the species that bear them great advantages 

 in attacking their prey; whilst in others, such as the Trichoptera, 

 they are not adapted for any serious work. But, for our purpose, 

 I think that we will adopt the three suborders used by Mr. 

 M'Lachlan in his ' Catalogue of British Neuroptera,' namely, 

 Pseudo-Neuroptera, Neuroptera-Planipennia, and Trichoptera. 



Under Pseudo-Neuroptera come those lovely little insects the 

 Psocida, which abound during the summer in the foliage of various 

 trees, such as firs, yews, &c. Some genera of the Psocidce are not 

 at present so well understood as is desirable, there being no doubt 

 a good deal to do among many of the more obscure inquilines. 

 Many species, again, are only too well known to collectors of 

 natural objects as things to be dreaded rather than admired, such 

 as Atropos divinatoria, Clothilla imlsatoria, Ccscilms pedicida- 

 rius, &c. Uneasy is the head of him who keeps a collection, for 

 species like those just mentioned cause him to take perhaps 

 rather more interest in his stored favourites than their individual 

 merits might otherwise call for. In this family we have in Britain 

 about thirty species. Micro-lepidopterists could easily take up 

 these living atoms, as they must come across most of the species 

 while searching for micros. 



Other groups of the Pseudo-Neuroptera are the Peiiidce or 

 stone-flies, and Ephemeridce or May-flies, insects which all 

 anglers, as well as entomologists, must be acquainted with. 



