EXPANSION OF PERFECT INSECTS. 



335 



ot'its first form, so it is likewise divested of its barbar- 

 ity and ravenous malignity; but the formidable struc- 

 ture of its mandibles, as Reaumur justly remarks, evi- 

 dently disprove this opinion. A lady discovered that 

 it would eat iVuit, and Ri'aumur actually saw one 

 munch part of a pear; but he thinks that tliis is not its 

 natural tbod.* Its close resemblance, indeed, to the 

 drapon-flics (LihtlluHna,) except in being more slow 

 in tlight, affords a strong analogical indication of its 

 carnivorous pro')ensities. 



> 



a, Myrmelton firmicnrvim, the fly of the ant-lion. 6, the head 

 magnified to show the caliiper-lbrn-ed mandibles, c, the pupa, 

 rf, the pupa escapiug from its cocoon. 



A still more striking difference of size may be 

 remarked in the pupa and the perfect insect of a lace- 

 winged fly {Clirysopa Pcrla, Leach,) by no means 

 uncommon near London, and well known by its 

 golden eyes and green wings. t The cocoon of this 



Mem. vol. vi, p. 375. 



See page 45. 



