THE ANT-LION. 



491 



movement in every direction ; while the last ring is modified into a stout, thick, rounded 

 form, furnished with a pair of forceps not unlike those of the earwig. While at rest, 

 the creature sits with the abdomen curled quietly over the back like a pug-dog's tail ; 

 but when irritated or alarmed, it brandishes the tail about in a very alarming manner, 

 snapping at the same time with the forcipated extremity, and if it seizes the finger, 

 can inflict a very perceptible nip. Few persons, indeed, who are not accustomed to 

 the insect can summon up sufficient moral courage to hold it while its scorpion-looking 

 tail is being flourished in so menacing a manner. 



THE beautiful LACE- WING FLIES, or Hemerobiidae, are also members of this order. 

 Several species of the Lace-wings are also called by the appropriate name of GoldenEyes, 

 on account of the extreme brilliancy of the large and projecting eyes, which glow as 



DEMOISELLE. Calepteryx splendeas. 



GREAT-DRAQON.FLY.-/rttoas pugnax. 



if with internal fires, and give forth flashes of gold and ruby light. Unfortunately, 

 there is a sad drawback to their beauty, for, when handled, they exhale a most power- 

 ful and indescribably odious stench, unlike any imaginable combination of evil savors, 

 but quite unique, and never to be forgotten after a single experience. The Lace-wings 

 may be taken in the evening as they fly from tree to tree, and in the day-time may 

 be found clinging to the under side of leaves. 



The eggs of these creatures are even more remarkable than their parents. The 

 mother-insect begins operations by drawing a fine, but viscous, thread from some twig 

 or leaf, the thread becoming hard, elastic, and transparent as it comes in contact 

 with the air. At the end of this thread she then places a little white egg, and, having 

 fixed it firmly, proceeds to repeat the process until she has set some twelve or fifteen 

 of these curious objects. The footstalks on which the eggs are placed are so firm that 

 they will hold their burden in a nearly upright attitude. The real character of these 

 eggs has only been ascertained in comparatively late times, they having formerly been 

 placed among the mosses, to which indeed they bear no slight resemblance. 



THE far-famed ANT-LION is one of the insects that are more celebrated in their pre- 

 liminary than in the perfect stage of existence. As may be seen by reference to the 



