162 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



toward its victim ; this has not only the effect of deepening 

 the hole and making its sides steeper but also of striking and 

 overwhelming its prey causing it to tumble within reach of the 

 ant-lion. The pupa of this insect is remarkable as possessing 

 the extraordinary appendage of mandibles, which are used in 

 cutting its way through the cocoon when about to transform. 



The genus Panurpa, of Linnaeus, (probably from pas^ all ; 

 and orpe, or arpe^ a spike or goad, sometimes a harpoon, in 

 allusion to its being armed at both extremities with sharp 

 pointed instruments,) is noticeable for its long rostrum or beak, 

 and for the singular form of the last joint of the abdomen in 

 the male, which is forcipated or pincer like, and by means of 

 the flexible, and slender segments preceding it, can be bent in 

 almost every direction. It is most frequently seen with this 

 instrument curved over its back somewhat like the tail of a 

 scorpion whence it has received the common name of " scorpion- 

 fly." All the species known feed upon other insects, and may 

 be found in bushy pastures throughout the country in the 

 summer months. We find three or four species in Massachu- 

 setts, of yi\\\c\\ Panorpamfescens^oi Rambur (figure 38, male, 



magnified,) is the most common. The 



rufescent or rusty scorpion-fly is, as its 



name purports, of a yellowish red color ; 



antennse black excepting 'the three or 



four basal joints which are reddish ; 



ocelli black ; feet light red or yellowish ; 



^'s-^^- wings yellowish with a few scattered 



spots, and two bands, one at the apex, and a narrower elbowed 



one a little behind the middle, fuscous. Length about half an 



inch, wings expand one inch. 



Tlic family PhrT/g-anina, (from phryf^anon^ a dead stick or 

 faggot,) was so named by Linnseus, in allusion to the habits of 

 tiie larva) whicii construct a tube of sticks, or other substances, 

 as a protection against their enemies. Being a whitish, plump 

 grub, and slow in its motions the larva would form a delicate 

 morsel for fish, or voracious aquatic insects of different speijies, 

 •were it not endowed with sufficient instinct to build a shelter 

 for its existence in this state, and its succeeding transformations. 

 In the bottom of almost every pool, or brook a curious structure 

 composed of pieces of bark, -dead twigs, grains of sand, some- 

 times a bright green leaf, or even small ghells, may be seen, 



