NET-WINGED INSECTS. 267 



to the Termites. They usually live in damp, dark places, 

 and under bark. One species, destitute of wings, is oft- 

 en found in old books, and in collections of dried plants, 

 insects, etc. 



457. In the second division of the Neuroptera the 

 metamorphosis is more complete, the pupa being inact- 

 ive. The most singular of these insects is the Ant-lion. 

 The wingless larva has a curious contrivance for secur- 

 ing its prey, which consists of ants and other insects. It 

 digs a funnel-shaped pit in sand, about thirty inches in 

 diameter and twenty inches deep. This is an immense 

 work for so small an insect. It accomplishes it hi this 

 way. It first traces the circle which is to be the outer 

 edge of the pit. Then, placing itself within this line, it, 

 with one of its legs for a spade, places some sand in a heap 

 on its head, which with a quick jerk it throws beyond the 

 circle to the extent of some inches. It does this around 

 the whole circle ; then turning, goes round again, and so 

 on until the whole pit is dug. It now conceals itself at 

 the bottom, and watches for some insect to tumble down 

 into the pit. If the insect does not fall to the bottom, and 

 endeavors to escape, the Ant-lion, with its head and man- 

 dibles, throws over it a quantity of sand, and thus over- 

 whelms its victim. Of course, such a struggle disturbs 

 the evenness of the pit, and the breaches are immediate- 

 ly repaired, so as to be in readiness for other prey. 



458. There is a family belonging to this section, called 

 Hemerobiidae, remarkable for the brilliancy of their eyes, 

 and the delicacy and varied color of their wings, but es- 

 pecially for the singular manner in which they dispose of 

 their eggs. They deposit them usually upon plants, at 

 the end of long and exceedingly delicate footstalks, the 

 base of which is firmly attached to the leaf. These foot- 

 stalks are composed of a white viscid matter, discharged 

 at the time of laying the egg, and speedily hardening in 

 the air. As these eggs are laid in clusters, the appear- 

 ance is that of small clusters of fungi. I saw some once 



