VII. 

 KEUKOPTEBA. 



THE Neuroptera the type of which Order are the Libellulas, or 

 Dragon flies have four membranous wings, generally rather 

 broad, provided with transverse delicately reticulated nervures, 

 which give 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 Libellulce, the Ephemera, and the 

 Termites belong to this category. The insects belonging to the 

 other section, in which are classed the Phryganida* or Caddis 

 flies, the PanorpatcB, and the Myrmelionides, or Ant Lions, undergo 

 complete metamorphoses. The pupse of the first walk and live 

 absolutely in the same way as the larvae ; only, at the moment of 

 the last transformation, 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 development, 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 trans- 

 formation 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 



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

 the name of Trichoptera, by Kirby. ED. 



