442 INSECTA. 



4. A fourth division, that of the TERMITINJS, will comprise Neu- 

 roptera subject to a semi-metamorphosis. They are all terrestrial, 

 active, carnivorous, or gnawers, in all their states. With the ex- 

 ception of the Mantispae, very distinct from all the Insects of this 

 order, by the form of their anterior legs, which resemble those of a 

 Mantis, the tarsi consist of four joints at most, which removes them 

 from the preceding genera of the same family. The mandibles are 

 always corneous and strong. The inferior wings are nearly as large 

 as the superior ones, and without folds, or smaller. 



MANTISPA, Illig. 



Where there are five joints to all the tarsi, and the two first leg's are 

 formed like those of a Mantis or adapted for prehension. The antenna of 

 these Insects are very short and granose, and their eyes large. The pro- 

 thorax is very long", and thickened anteriorly, and the wings are tectiform. 



RHAPHIDIA, Lin. Fab. 



Where the tarsi are composed of four joints and the wings are tectiform. 

 The head is elongated and narrowed posteriorly, the thorax long, narrow, 

 and almost cylindrical. The abdomen of the female terminates by a long 

 external oviduct, formed of two laminae. 



TERMES, HEMEROBIUS, Lin. 



Where all the tarsi are likewise composed of four joints; but the wings are 

 very long, and laid horizontally on the body; the head is rounded, and the 

 thorax almost square or semicircular. 



The body of these Insects is depressed, and their antennae are short and 

 formed like a chaplet. The mouth is almost similar to that of the Orthoptera, 

 and the labium is quadrifid. They have three ocelli, one of which, on the 

 forehead, is indistinct; the two others are situated, one on each side, near the 

 inner margin of the ordinary eyes. Their wings are commonly somewhat 

 diaphanous, coloured, furnished with extremely fine and crowded nervures, 

 and not very distinctly reticulated. Their abdomen has two small, conical, 

 biarticulated points at the extremity; the legs are short. 



The Termites, peculiar to the countries situated between the tropics, or 

 to those which are adjacent, are known by the name of White Jlnts, Poux 

 de bois, Caria, &c. The appalling destruction caused by these Insects, 

 particularly in the state of larva, in those parts of the world, is but too 

 well known. These larvae, the working Termites or labourers, bear a close 

 resemblance to the perfect Insect; but their body is softer and apterous, 

 and their head, which appears proportionally larger, is usually destitute of 

 eyes, or has but very small ones. They live in society, and form communi- 

 ties, so numerous as to defy all calculation, which live under cover in the 

 g- round, trees, and all sort of ligneous articles, such as tables, chairs, furni- 



