BRITISH INSECTS 



deserve all the praise that can be bestowed. The wings, 

 when at rest, are held longitudinally, and the thin taper- 

 ing body, and frail constitution, of the Lacewing will 

 at once be patent to the lucky discoverer. It is a fre- 

 quent visitor to our gardens, and to be suddenly con- 

 fronted with a specimen at rest reveals " a thing of 

 beauty and joy for ever." It is curious that such a 

 lovely insect should give off an offensive smell when 

 handled. The white eggs are laid in batches, and each 

 one is attached to a leaf, or other object, by a long thread. 

 The larva is a mark on green-fly, and should be highly 

 encouraged. After having its fill, the larva spins a 

 round cocoon in which it passes the pupal stage of its 

 existence, finally emerging as the beautiful and useful 

 creature we have discovered it to be. 



5. Sub-Order Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) 



Also of delicate structure, the Mayfly {Ephemera 

 vulgaris, Figs. 27 and 28), has the hind wings much 

 smaller than the front pair, very short antennae, and 

 two or three long streamers, or tails, at the extremity 

 of the body. But it is the life-history, rather than the 

 anatomy, of the insect that is so wonderful. Shortly 

 stated, this is as follows. The eggs are dropped into 

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