38 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



group are the following : the RapliidiidcE, insects that are remark- 

 able for the elongate development of the head and prothoracic 

 segments, which has caused them to be called snake-flies. The 

 larvae of the RaphidiidcB live under the bark of trees, where they 

 pre}'' upon other small insects. The Osmylidce are not very 

 numerous in this country ; but one species, Osmylus macidatus, 

 Fab., is truly a handsome creature ; it may be taken by 

 beating, over a net, the bushes, &c., that overhang streams. 

 The HemerohiidcB consist of eighteen species, which are very 

 unequally divided among four genera, the genus Hemerohlus alone 

 absorbing thirteen species. The larvie probably partake of the 

 habits of the ChrysopidiB. The imagos as a rule feign death when 

 beaten into the net, and if you have had a long " beat " it is 

 surprising to see the numbers that are constantly cropping up 

 while you are examining the contents of your net. Many of 

 the species are extremely pretty both in markings and colour, 

 notably H. atr'ifrons, M'Lach. ; H. pini, Steph. ; and H. con- 

 cinnus, Steph. 



We now come to the insects that I believe all people admire ; 

 at least I know that most of those who care for insects are 

 attracted by them, for when I ask any of my correspondents if they 

 ever take Neuroptera I am pretty sure to get a few ClirysopidcB, 

 that is to say, should I by chance get anything at all. 



The ClirysopidcB are those gauzy-looking green creatures with 

 golden eyes, from which latter character comes their popular 

 name of " golden eyes." Some species are also called " stink- 

 flies," from a very disagreeable odour they give out when caught. 

 These insects are very common in woods; they seem not to be 

 endowed with any great power of flight. 



The Coniopterygidce are very minute insects, covered with a 

 fine mealy substance of a slightly violet tinge, which rubs off 

 very readily ; the three species that occur here are to be beaten 

 out of trees almost everywhere. 



The PanorpidcE, or scorpion-flies, so named from the formid- 

 able-looking appendages of the male, which give to these 

 insects a dangerous appearance, are not numerous in this 

 country, only three species of the genus Panorpa being at 

 present known ; these species occur somewhat commonly among 

 rank herbage. 



The third suborder of the Neuroptera (Trichoptera) will now 



