L AGE-WING PUPA. 



263 



her existence, and becomes from an active grub or larva 

 (correspondent to the caterpillar of Lepldopterce) an inanimate 

 pupa (the likeness of the chrysalis), she furnishes of course but 

 slender matter for the historian of insects. Yet, even in this, 

 her stage of passive transition, our " Lace-wing" in progress 

 affords us something worth observing. After being wearied 

 of aphis slaughter, whereon she has attained her full growth, 

 her last active operation is to enwrap her body in a silken 

 shroud or cocoon, spun previously, not after caterpillar usage 

 by an apparatus at the mouth, but by one provided for the 

 purpose at the tail. 



Before dismissing our trio of the " Fair and Fierce" the 

 dragon, the scorpion, and the lace-wing flies we must bespeak 

 indulgence for their fierceness not in favour of their beauty, 

 but on account of the usefulness of their devouring propen- 

 sities. 



CremOIe on tDe approach of pout arcD 



