ANNULOSA : INSECTA. 



351 



groups. The first section includes what may be termed nor- 

 mal Neuroptera, such as the Ant-lions (Myrmtltontid<z\ the 

 Aphis-lions (Hemerobiidce, fig. 185), the Scorpion-flies (Panor- 



pidce), and the Sialidce. The 

 second section includes the 

 Dragon - flies (Libellulid(E\ 

 the May -flies (Ephemeridce\ 

 the Stone-flies (Perlidce\ the 

 White Ants (Termitidcz\ and 

 some less important families. 

 These are often placed in 

 the Orthoptera, under the 

 common name of Pseudo- 

 neuroptera. Lastly, we have 

 a section sometimes elevated 

 to the rank of a distinct or- 

 der under the name of Trich- 

 optera, for the reception of 

 the singular Caddis - flies 

 (Phryganeidce). In this group 

 the anterior wings are gener- 

 ally hairy, the mandibles are rudimentary, the larva usually 

 resides in a case formed of small foreign bodies, and the pupa 

 is inactive during the greater part of its life. 



Amongst the more remarkable of the Neuroptera are the so-called 

 " White Ants " or Termites, a brief description of which may be given 

 here. The Termites are social insects, living in organised communities, 

 and they are mostly inhabitants of hot countries. (It must be borne in 

 mind that though often called "White Ants," they stand in no relation to 

 the true Ants.) Mr Bates, has given us an excellent description of the 

 habits of these singular insects, from which much of what follows has been 

 taken. 



Termites are small, soft -bodied insects, which live in large communities, 

 as do the true Ants. They differ, however, from the Ants in the fact that 

 the workers are individuals of no fully-developed sex, whereas amongst the 

 latter they are undeveloped females. Further, the neuters of the Termites 

 are always composed of two distinct classes or "castes" the workers and 

 the soldiers. Lastly, the Ants undergo a quiescent pupa-stage ; whereas 

 the young Termites, on their emergence from the egg, do not differ from 

 the adult in any respect except in size. 



Each species of Termites consists of several distinct orders or castes, 

 which live together, and constitute populous, organised communities. 

 They inhabit structures known as " Termitaria, " consisting of mounds 

 or hillocks, some of which are "five feet high, and are formed of par- 

 ticles of earth worked into a material as hard as stone. " The Termitarium 

 has no external aperture for ingress or egress, as far as can be seen, the en- 

 trance being placed at some distance, and connected with the central 

 building by means of covered ways and galleries. Each Termitarium is 

 composed of "a vast number of chambers and irregular intercommunicat- 



