56 INSECTA. 
this order from the tenth or that of the Lepidoptera, where, 
besides, the four wings are farinaceous. The surface of these 
wings in the Neuroptera is finely reticulated, and the under 
ones are most commonly as large as those above them but: 
sometimes wider, and sometimes narrower and longer. Their 
maxille and the inferior portion of their labrum or the men- 
tum are never tubular. The abdomen is destitute of a sting 
and rarely furnished with an ovipositor. en's 
Their antenne are usually setaceous, and composed of nu- 
merous joints. They have two or three simple eyes. The 
trunk is formed of three segments, intimately united im a sin- 
gle body, distinct from the abdomen, and bearing the six legs 3 
the first of these segments is usually very short, and in the 
form of a collar. The number of joints in the tarsi varies. The 
body is usually elongated, and with rather soft or but slightly 
squamous teguments; the abdomen is always sessile. Many 
of these Insects are carnivorous in their first state and in their 
last. 
Some merely experience a. semimetamorphosis, the rest a 
complete one; but the larve always have six hooked feet, 
which they usually employ inseeking their food. 
I will divide this order into three families, which will sue- 
cessively present to us the following natural aflinities: 
1. Carnivorous Insects, subject to a semimetamorphosis, 
with aquatic larve. 
2. Carnivorous Insects, subject to a complete metamorpho- 
sis, with aquatic or terrestrial larvee. 
3. Carnivorous or omnivorous terrestrial Insects, subject to 
a semimetamorphosis. 
4. Herbivorous Insects, subject to a complete metamorpho- 
sis, with aquatic larve, which construct portable dwellings. 
We will end with those species in which the wings are the 
least reticulated, and which resemble Phalen or Tineites. 
