376 INSECTS ABROAD. 



to the Mantidea, and indeed there are several of the smaller 

 Mautidae which so exactly resemble the Mantispidae, that none 

 but a practical entomologist would detect the difference between 

 them. 



That they are predacious is clearly shown by the structure of 

 the mouth and the fore-legs. They are found mostly on trees, 

 the oak being a special favourite. Although none of this 

 family inhabit England, the Mantispidae have a very wide 

 range, being found in almost every portion of the world, and 

 certainly in all the continents. They are all dull-coloured, and 

 rather small insects, that which is above given being a giant 

 among its fellows. It is pale brown in colour, and the wings are 

 translucent, with the exception of a broad band along the upper 

 edge, which is dark brownish yellow. The raptorial legs are 

 very boldly developed, and the others are long and slender. It 

 is a native of South Africa, and is taken in the Natal district. 



Now comes that most important family of Neuroptera the 

 Termitida?,; popularly, though wrongly, called White Ants. 

 There are many species of Termes, but all are very much alike 

 in their habits. I have therefore selected one species, Termes 

 dirus, or the Common White Ant, to serve as an example of 

 them all. 



These insects are spread over most of the warmer parts of the 

 world, and are useful or the reverse according to the amount of 

 population. In uninhabited districts the White Ants are valu- 

 able beyond price, as, together with the wood-boring beetles, 

 they aid greatly in developing the forest-growths. Though they 

 can feed upon many substances, they are essentially eaters of 

 dead wood, and their powers in this respect are almost incredible. 

 Hating light, they always begin their work by boring a hole 

 into the object which they are about to attack, and then devour 

 the whole of the interior. They never break through the ex- 

 terior, but leave a shell scarcely thicker than ordinary paper, so 

 that nothing on the exterior indicates the vacuum within. 



When they get into a house, and attack the woodwork, this 

 habit of theirs is more than unpleasant, as no one knows 

 whether the wood be sound and solid, or hollow and rotten, 

 from one day's end to another. It may look sound enough, but 

 if struck or pressed the thin shell gives way, and the havoc 



