THE CORRODENTIA. 187 



fact, so closely do some of them approach that order, 

 that there are not wanting zoologists who have 

 removed the Dictyotoptera from the Neuroptera alto- 

 gether, and transferred them bodily to the Ortho- 

 ptera. The insects upon whose structure alone this 

 course can be justified, are the celebrated White Ants 

 or Termites, those wonderful social insects, so abun- 

 dant in tropical countries, whose extraordinary earthen 

 edifices and great powers of destruction have long 

 rendered them famous. As these insects, however, 

 although some species occur in Europe, are fortu- 

 nately not inhabitants of this country, I must refer 

 the reader to other works for information upon their 

 habits, and pass to another form belonging to the 

 same tribe, that of the CORRODENTIA, which, although 

 from its minute size it certainly can never be so 

 injurious as the White Ants, is a great enemy to the 

 peculiar interests of the entomologist. 



When a box of insects, as unfortunately is too 

 often the case, has been neglected for some little 

 time, we shall notice on examining it that beneath 

 many of the specimens there is a little patch of dust, 

 the appearance of which is by no means gratifying to 

 the owner. By inspecting the bottom of the box 

 carefully, we shall soon discover the author of the 

 mischief, in the shape of a minute yellowish insect, 

 which runs about quickly amongst the pins, and 

 generally eludes our efforts at his destruction in a 

 most provoking manner. On capturing one of these 

 little depredators, it is found to be totally destitute 

 of wings, but furnished with six well- developed legs, 

 terminated by three-jointed tarsi. The head bears a 

 pair of large compound eyes, and long thread-like 

 aiitennre, and the mouth is armed with short, horny, 



