212 THE SIALINA. 



brassy tint. The legs, the lower part of the pro- 

 thorax, and some spots on the upper surface of the 

 body are yellow, and the wings are transparent, with 

 yellowish and brownish veins. Its larva is a long 

 grub-like creature, with a horny head and prothorax, 

 and six jointed legs of moderate length ; it is found 

 under the bark of trees, where it captures the minute 

 insects which abound in such situations. It appears 

 to form a cell for itself in the substance of the bark 

 before passing into the pupa state. In this condition 

 the insect remains perfectly quiet until it is about to 

 enter upon the last phase of its existence, when it 

 regains the power of walking, although still enclosed 

 in its pupa- case. The perfect insect makes its ap- 

 pearance in June. 



For an example of the last tribe of this suborder 

 of Neuroptera, we must again visit the water's edge. 

 Here, in the spring and early summer months, we 

 shall constantly meet with great numbers of a dingy- 

 looking fly, about three-quarters of an inch long, 

 sitting quietly upon posts or the trunks of trees, 

 crawling slowly about upon the herbage, or occasion- 

 ally, when the sun is bright and warm, displaying a 

 little more activity by making use of its wings for 

 short flights. The body of this insect is of a black 

 colour, and slightly pubescent, but variegated with 

 minute, smooth, reddish marks; its wings are large, 

 brownish, and semitransparent, with strong blackish 

 veins ; the hinder pair are smaller than the anterior, 

 the outer margins of which are considerably dilated, 

 and the wings, when in repose, are laid obliquely 

 upon the sides of the body. The head is broad, and 



