THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



will, however, I hope, make an exception in favour of 

 the silkworm. Though I admit that at present insects 

 inspire me only with a most limited confidence ; 

 including even this beautiful dragon-fly with trans- 

 parent wings, that belongs, I presume, to the same 

 order." 



"Not at all: it belongs to the order Neuroptera, 

 among which we have also many enemies ; and 



DEAOON-FLY (Libellula). 



though the dragon-flies and the may-flies do us no 

 harm, though the ant-lion destroys only ants, there are 

 other species that are not so scrupulous in respect to 

 us. The white ants, or Termites, especially have a 

 deplorable habit of excavating their habitations or 

 concealed galleries in furniture and other articles con- 

 structed of wood. So well do they accomplish this, 

 that sometimes they leave only a thin crust of wood, 

 and directly this is touched " 



