INSECTS NEUROPTERA DIAGRAM 6. 



133 



sand over it, and makes it roll to the bottom, where it is grasped 



by the pincers and killed. This is not all. When the 



industrious insect has sucked its victim dry, it throws it out of 



the hole, which it never quits itself, just as it threw 



up the sand before. This animal, which exhibits 



such curious habits, is the larva of the ant-lion ; and 



is so named on account of the great destruction 



which it makes among the ants. In the perfect 



state, it is very much like a dragon-fly, but may be 



distinguished from them by its antennae terminating 



in a knob. 



The habits of the Termites, or White AntSj resemble those of the 

 ants ; but they inhabit tropical countries. They have fortunately 



Larva of 

 Ant-lion. 



Soldier Termite. Neuter Termite. Female, 



not yet been introduced into England, but they have succeeded 

 in establishing themselves in some of the French ports, where 

 they commit great ravages ; they devour books, registers, 

 wainscoting, and all descriptions of wood-work. These animals 

 are obliged to avoid the light, and their work is always concealed. 

 They devour a beam, but they only enter it by the ends which 

 are fixed in the walls ; they do not make a single hole 

 throughout its whole length, and nothing is visible externally 

 until the house falls, when the beam is found to be completely 

 eaten away inside. 



The Phryganece and Ephemerce.- We must mention two 

 Neuropterous insects which are well known for their interesting 



