NEUROPTERA. 



579 



the eyes large, the prothorax very long, and the wings roof-like. Exotic species, [recently monographed by Erich- 

 son, of great interest from their apparent relationship with the order Orthoptera]. 



Riiphidia, Linn., has 4-jointed tarsi, the wings roof-like, the head elongated and narrowed behind, prothorax 

 long, narrow, and subcyliudric, and the abdomen of the females terminated by a long, exserted ovipositor, formed 

 of two valves. R. ophiopsis, [the Snake-necked Fly, of rare occurrence in this country. See the monograph of 

 Schummel]. The lana lives in the fissures of the bark of trees, and has the form of a small snake : it is very 

 active. 



Termes, Linn. (Hemerobius, Linn, [the winged males]), has also 4-jointed tarsi, but the wings are carried hori- 

 zontally on the body, and very long ; the head rounded, and the prothorax short and square. The body is de- 

 pressed, with the antennas short ; the mouth very similar to that of the Orthoptera, with a four-cleft lower lip ; 



three ocelli, one rather indistinct ; the wings generally but slightly 

 transparent, coloured, with the nervures not forming a close net- 



/» j hi work, and the legs short. 



*j^*S^^_J^''^^' The Termites peculiar to the tropical and adjacent countries, are 



- jMi>i,\ei:?i — '"lifnjt, known under the name of White Ants, and commit most extraor- 



dinary ravages, especially in the larva state, in which they are called 

 Workers, and are like the perfect insect, but with the body softer and 

 without wings, and the head generally larger, and destitute of eyes, or 

 nearly so. They are united into colonies of incalculable numbers, 

 and live concealed in the interior of the earth, trees, and other 

 wooden matters, such as furniture, shelves, &c., in which they form 

 Fijr, nn.-White Ams : 1, Worker; t, Soldier. galleries, forming routes conducting to the centre of their nests, so 

 that these objects, of which the outer surface is [witli surprising instinct] left untouched, fall to pieces on the 

 shghtest touch. The nests of some species are external, but without any evident exit. Sometimes they are elevated 



Ive feet high).— 6, Ne 



Fiir. 112.— 7. Section of 

 iiieh to eight feet 



to a great height above the surface, like pyramids, and are sometimes surrounded by a solid roof, which, from the 

 height and number of these insects, appear at a distance like a small village. Sometimes they affix their nests to 

 the branches of trees. Another sort of individual, termed Neuters or Soldiers, and which Fabricius mistook for 

 pupae, defend the nest. They have the head much larger and longer, and the mandibles are very long and cross 

 over each other. They are far less numerous than the larva;, and live near the outer surface of the nest, so that 

 they make their appearance first when it is attacked ; they are also stated to compel the Workers to labour. The 

 denii-nymphs have the rudiments of wings, and in other respects resemble the larvte. 



When arrived at the perfect state, the Termites quit 

 their habitation, fly abroad during the evening or 

 night in great numbers ; they lose their wings before 

 morning, which dry, and falling to the earth, they 

 become the prey of birds, lizards, &c. The couples are 

 then collected by the larvae, which inclose each of them 

 in a large cell ; but Latreille conjectures that the act of 

 coupling takes place in the air, as in the Ants, and that 

 the females alone occupy the attention of the larvae in 

 order to the establishment of fresh colonies. The ab- 

 domen of the female subsequently acquires an enor- 

 mous size, from the innumerable eggs which it contains. 

 The royal chamber occupies the centre of the habita- 

 tion, and around it are distributed those which con- 

 tain the eggs and provisions. 



Some larvae of Termes viarum have eyes, and api)ear 

 to have habits somewhat different to the rest, and to approach our Ants. 



Negroes and Hottentots are very fond of these insects. 



, 113.— Q 



th eggs 



