Objects for the Microscope. 73 



HEAD OF LIHNOBIA. 



This is essentially like the head of Tipula. I need only 

 say that Limnobia is one of the same family, only of a 

 different genus, and the larvae are much less destructive, 

 living mostly in fungi. 



HEAD OF HEMEROBIUS. 



This is usually mounted as an opaque object, to show 

 the metallic lustre of the eyes. The Hemerobius belongs 

 to the order Neuroptera. Is has four exquisite light green 

 wings resembling delicate lace, and lays its eggs on the 

 twigs of lilac trees ; these eggs are stalked and placed in 

 rows along the twig, from which a very useful little larva 

 emerges a destroyer of the Aphides. 



HEAD OF PANORPA. 



The Panorpa is called the Scorpion-fly, and is very 

 common on nettles in the middle and end of summer. 

 They are not difficult either to distinguish or to catch ; for 

 the male fly is very conspicuous with his long turned-up 

 tail, at the end of which he brandishes an unpleasant- 

 looking pair of forceps. The wings, four of them, are 

 highly reticulated, which denote it to be of the order Neu- 

 roptera, and first cousin to the beautiful Dragon-fly and 

 brilliant Hemerobius ; they are prettily spotted, and of 

 equal size. If we look at the head we shall see a pair of 

 long antenna? inserted between the eyes, three ocelli, or little 

 eyes on the crown of the head, and this long snout-like 

 proboscis, with mandibles, maxilla? and lower lip nearly 

 linear, and four or six short palpi. Upon this beak we 

 often see a little insect spitted, whilst the tongue is rapidly 

 sucking out its life's-blood. The Panorpa is a carnivorous 

 fly, and hunts in the hot sunshine, not only on the wing, 

 but running swiftly under and over the nettle-leaves, intent 

 on his pursuit, and easily captured himself whilst thus 

 engaged. 



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