238 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



form ; the larva as it leaves the egg has no wings, but 

 otherwise is much like the parent; it changes its skin 

 several times, which stage is analogous to the pupa 

 state, after casting it five times and obtaining wings, it 

 becomes the imago or perfect insect. The ravages of the 

 Locusts are so well known that little need be said ; the 

 following is from Kirby and Spence's Entomology : 



" Although this animal be not very tremendous for 

 its size, nor very terrific in its appearance, it is the 

 very same whose ravages have been the theme of 

 naturalists and historians in all ages, and upon a close 

 examination you will find it to be peculiarly fitted and 

 furnished for the execution cf its office. It is armed 

 with two pairs of very strong jaws, the upper termina- 

 ting in short, and the lower in long teeth, by which it 

 can both lacerate and grind its food ; its stomach is of 

 extraordinary capacity and powers ; its hind legs enable 

 it to leap to a considerable distance, and its ample vans 

 are calculated to catch the wind as sails, and so to carry 

 it sometimes over the sea; and although a single 

 individual can effect but little evil, yet when the entire 

 surface of a country is covered by them, and every one 

 makes bare the spot on which it stands, the mischief 

 produced may be as infinite as their numbers. So well 

 do the Arabians know their power, that they make a 

 Locust say to Mahomet, 'We are the army of the Great 

 Grod ; we produce ninety-nine eggs ; if the hundred 

 were completed, we should consume the whole earth 

 and all that is in it.'" 



3. NETJEOPTEEA (Nerve-winged). 



The Neuroptera comprise the Dragon-fly (Libellulma, fig. 

 16), Ant-lion (Myrmelion), Caddis-flies (Phryganidae), 

 and the May-flies (Ephemera) ; these insects have wings 

 of a beautiful network structure, as may be seen 

 in the Dragon-fly, they make their appearance about 

 the middle of June in the locality of ditches and 

 ponds. The Caddis-fly is noted for the peculiar case 

 which the larva makes for itself; the larva inhabits the 



