212 ZOOLOGY. ^ 



ORDER IV. 



NEUROPTERA. 



This order is distinguished by possessing four transparent 

 reticulated wings, and the tail being unarmed ; most of the 

 insects in this family are aquatic, residing in the water during 

 their immature state, and resorting thereto in their perfect 

 state. 



1. Libellula. Dragox-Fly. Antenna; short ; mouth fur- 

 nished with several jaws ; zcings expanded ; tail termi- 

 nated in the male insect by a forked process. 



This genus is very voracious, they are found flying oyer, 

 or in the Ticinity of stagnant waters ; their larvae is six 

 footed, very active, and ferocious, furnished with an articu- 

 lated forcipatcd mouth ; the pupa resembles the larvae^ but 

 has the rudiments of wings ; they feed on aquatic insects, 

 and when mature on any winged ingect they can overcomej 

 generally taking their prey on wing. 



.3. Ephemera. Day-Fiy. Mouth without teeth or feelers ; 

 stemmata two, very large, situated above the eyes ; 

 Tsings erect, the upper pair considerably the largest ; . 

 tail terminating in long hair or bristles. 



In the mature state, this is one of the shortest lived ani« 

 aals, seldom surviving more than a day, in some species but 



