io6 



NEUROPTERA. 



FIG. 96. -MAY- FLIES IN SUNSET DANCE. 



the stream. When about to undergo their last transformation, they leave the 

 water and cast off their pupa covering ; but, by a remarkable exception to 

 other insects, they are still covered by a thin pellicle, which gives them a dull 

 appearance. In this condition they are known to the angler as "duns'" in a 

 short time, however, they cast off this temporary deshabille, leaving it upon 

 trees or walls, or even the clothes of the passer-by, and present themselves in 

 the full livery^of the perfect insect, in which garb they constitute the "Drake" 

 of the fly-fisher. 



The Scorpion Flies (Panorpa) are remarkable from the extraordinary 

 structure of the tail, which in the male is terminated by a pair of forceps, 

 giving them the appearance of winged scorpions. 



The Ant-Lions (Mynneleo) * much resemble the dragon-flies, but their 

 habits in the earlier stages of their existence are very different. The larva 

 lives principally upon ants, which it catches by a singular contrivance. Not 

 being able, from the structure of its body, to catch such active prey by any 

 ordinary proceeding, it constructs a trap, by walking backwards, round and 

 round and round, until a deep conical excavation is formed in the loose sand, 

 at the bottom of which the creature buries itself, and there remains quietly 

 concealed, with the exception of its long scissor-like fangs, which are kept 

 half open and ready for action. Thus ensconced, woe betide any imprudent 

 insect that unhappily passes too near the treacherous margin of this pitfall. 

 No sooner does it approach the fatal brink than, the loose sides giving way 



, murmex, the ant ; \lwv, Icon, the lion. 



