INSECTS NEUROPTERA DIAGRAM 6 



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

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

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

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

 up the sand before. This animal, which exhibits 

 such curious habits, is the larva of the ant-lwn ; 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 antenna) terminating 

 in a knob. 



The habits of the termites or white ants, resemble those of the 

 ants ; but they inhabit tropical countries. They have fortunately 



X 



Larva of 

 ant-lion. 



Neuter terraito. 

 Soldier 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 pKryganea and qthe-mera. We must mention two 

 Neuropterous insects which are well known for their interesting 



