402 



VIII. 



NEUROPTERA. 



T'HE Neiiroptera — the type of which order are the LibelluIcE, or 

 Dragon FHes — have four membranous wings, generally rather broad, 

 provided with transverse delicately reticulated nervures, which gives 

 them the appearance of lace. Although one of the least extensive, 

 this Order presents the greatest modifications of form and of habits. 



One section of Neuroptera contains some insects which undergo 

 incomplete metamorphoses. The LibellulcB^ the EphcmercB^ and the 

 Termites, belong to this category. The insects belonging to the other 

 section, in which are classed the Phrygimidce* or Caddis Flies, the 

 Panorpatce^ and the MyrmcHonides, or Ant Lions, undergo com})lete- 

 metamorphoses. The pupae of the first walk and live absolutely in 

 the same way as the larvae ; only, at the moment of the last trans- 

 formation, the skin of the pupa splits, and the perfect insect comes 

 forth. In the case of the second, on the contrary, the pupa is 

 motionless, inactive, and takes no food, as in the Hymenoptera, 

 Coleoptera, &c. In spite of this diversity in their mode of develop- 

 ment, all these insects resemble each other too much for us to divide 

 the Order ; from which it follows that we must not attach too much 

 importance to differences of transformation by which the insect 

 arrives at its perfect state. 



The most interesting insects among the Neuroptera are the 

 Termites, improperly called White Ants, on account of the great 

 analogy which exists between their habits and those of ants. They 

 constitute, by their way of living, a striking anomaly in the order in 

 which their conformation places them. In fact, they live in very 

 numerous societies, and build very solid and very extensive dwelling- 

 places — quite Cycloi>ean or Titanic works in comparison to the tiny 

 dimensions and weak and feeble appearance of the insect. (Plate IX.) 



* These were separated from the Neuroptera and made a separate order, 

 under the name of Trichoptera, by Kirby. — Ed. 



