io8 



NEUROPTERA. 



cover their bodies with the skins of their victims, so as to render themselves 

 almost invisible. When full fed, they spin themselves cocoons, and thus 

 await their final change. 



The Stone-Flies (Semblis) are among the favourite lures of the fly-fisher. 

 These insects lay their eggs upon the rushes by the river-side, placing them 

 perpendicularly on end, like ninepins glued together. The larva inhabits the 

 water, where it breathes by means of gill-like filaments attached to the side 

 of its body. 



The White Ants (Termes). These destructive insects have no relation- 

 ship whatever with the ants properly so called. They abound in all tropical 

 countries, where, whilst in their larva condition, they commit terrible ravages. 

 Their larvae, called also workers or labourers, very much resemble the perfect 

 insects, but their bodies are softer, they have no wings, and their head, which 



FIG. 100. WORKER TERMITE. 



FIG. TOT. SOLDIER TERMITE. 



JAWS OF THE ABOVE MAGNIFIED. 



FIG. io2. SECTION OF NEST OF TERMES BELLICOSUS. 



seems proportionately of larger size, is not furnished with eyes, or if these exist 

 at all, they are extremely minute. These insects congregate in societies so 

 numerous as to defy ordinary calculation. They live together, either con- 

 cealed underground, or they take up their abode in anything that is made of 

 wood, no matter what, trees, planks, and beams ; even articles of furniture 

 are made available for their habitations. In these they excavate galleries in 

 every direction, never, however, injuring the surface, so that although objects 



