



FAIR AND FIERCE. 



" We are 



Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat ; 

 Our valour is to chase what flies." 



THERE are now to be seen almost everywhere, hawking about 

 lanes and hedges in search of prey- fair as the sunshine, and 

 fierce as its meridian rays three insect families of the Linnsean 

 order Neuroptera, which are well worth observing for their 

 beauty, and studying for the peculiarities of their economy. 

 These comprise dragon-flies, scorpion- flies, and lace-wing flies ; 



the former, from their imposing size, well known by sight to 



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everybody; while the two latter, though both, especially the 



