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, ete. 
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 in 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. Ifthe 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 
Hemerobiide, 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 
