420 CLASS VIII. 



R<ESEL, Ins. in. pp. 95 116, p. 124, &c., BONNET, (Emves, Tom. ix. 

 1781, 8vo. pp. 405 413. 



This species occurs in Europe principally in southern lands, yet even in 

 some parts of Holland also ; in England it seems not to be found. There 

 are still other European species of this genus (as Myrmeleon pictum FABR., 

 GERMAR, Fauna Ins. Europ. Fasc. vm. Tab. 16, from Dalmatia and 

 southern Russia, also from the south of France, Myrm. formica lynx L., 

 RCESEL, Ins. III. Tab. 21, fig. 2, &c.), and many exotic species, amongst 

 which one is very large, with spotted wings, from the Cape of Good Hope, 

 Myrm. spedosus (Myrm. libelloides L., et auctor. in part) &c. 



Ascalaphus FABR. Antennae long (longer than body), termi- 

 nated abruptly by an obconical capitulum. Abdomen of length of 

 thorax. Head hirsute. Eyes in most divided by a transverse 

 furrow. Remaining characters of the preceding genus. 



Sp. Ascalaphus barbarus BURM., Ascal. italicus DUMERIL, Cons. gen. s. I. 

 Ins. PI. 26, fig. 2 ; Ascal. italicus FABR., PANZER, Deutschl. Ins. Heft 3, 

 Tab. 23, &c. 



Ascal. Napolco. LEFEBVRE, from New Holl. See GUERIN, Mayas.de 

 Zool. 1842, Ins. PL 92, where many sub-genera are proposed, partly also 

 received by RAMBUR, which must be here omitted. Comp. RAMBUR, 

 Neuropt. pp. 341 364. 



B. Neuroptera with metamorphosis incomplete. 

 Tarsi with joints often fewer than three. 



Family XXXI. Libellulince. Antennae short, with few (7 8) 

 joints, the two basal thicker, passing into an acuminate seta com- 

 posed of the terminal joints. Wings reticulate, with numerous 

 transverse nervures. Mandibles and maxillae entirely covered by 

 the labia or margins of the exsertile head ; palps not exsert. La- 

 bium large, trilobed, with broad lobes. Eyes large ; ocelli three. 

 Tarsi triarticulate. Larvae aquatic. 



Libella? or water-nymphs. These insects in all the states of their 

 life are very greedy and rapacious. The antennae of the perfect 

 insect have commonly from five to seven joints. The feet are short, 

 especially the middle pair, and bent forwards. Copulation occurs 

 in a remarkable manner, the extremity of the abdomen in the fe- 

 male being bent round like a ring towards the breast of the male. 

 Here are found, on the ventral surface of the second ring of the 

 abdomen, the external organs of generation, a penis placed between 

 two horny booklets, which in jEshna and Libellula is perforated by 



