io8 THE \\ALKS ABROAD OF 



11 2. Diptera, having two wings. 



" All the other orders have four ; they are 



'* 3. Lepidoptera, whose wings are covered with 

 scales. 



" 4. Hymenoptera, the veins of whose wings form 

 large meshes. 



" 5. Neuroptera, the meshes of whose wings are 

 numerous and small., 



" 6. Hemiptera, suctorial insects having usually one 

 pair of wings, in part harder than the other. 



" 7. Orthoptera, with somewhat thickened upper 

 wings, and with the under wings folding in longitu- 

 dinal plaits. 



" 8. Coleoptera, with hard wings called elytra, 

 usually united along the back by a straight suture, 

 and with the under wings folding transversely.* 



" With these summary indications you will readily 

 be able to find your way for a little in the intricacies 

 of entomological classification." 



Rene" made rather a wry face ; and clearly Coleop- 

 tera, Orthoptera, and the rest had as much difficulty in 

 making themselves at home in his mind as had the 

 Acanthopterygii and Malacopterygii of the fishes. 



* The number of orders of insects is still a matter of discussion and not 

 unfrequently a larger number than the above are adopted. The Neuroptera 

 are by some naturalists divided into two or three orders ; some separate the 

 Thysanura as distinct ; and others so treat the fleas, giving them the name 

 of Aphaniptera. The order Aptera, on the other hand, is now usiially 

 abandoned, the true lice being placed in the Rhynchota or Hemiptera, and 

 the bird lice in the Orthoptera. Translator. 



