Wale 
NEUROPTERA. 
Tue Neuroptera—the type of which Order are the Libellulas, or 
Dragon Flies—have four membranous wings, generally rather 
broad, provided with transverse delicately reticulated nervures, 
which gives them the appearance of lace. Although one of the 
least extensive, this Order presents the greatest modifications of 
form and of habits. 
One section of Neuroptera contains some insects: which undergo 
incomplete metamorphoses. The Libellule, the Ephemere, and the 
Termites belong to this category. The insects belonging to the 
other section, in which are classed the Phryganide,* or Caddis 
Flies, the Panorpate, and the Myrmelionides, or Ant Lions, undergo 
complete metamorphoses. The pup of the first walk and live 
absolutely in the same way as the larvee; only, at the moment of 
the last transformation, the skin of the pupa splits, and the perfect 
insect comes forth. In the case of the second, on the contrary, 
the pupa is motionless, inactive, and takes no food, as in the 
Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, &c. In spite of this diversity in 
their mode of development, all these insects resemble each other 
too much for us to divide the Order; from which it follows that 
we must not attach too much importance to differences of trans- 
formation by which the insect arrives at its perfect state. 
The most interesting insects among the Neuroptera are the 
Termites, improperly called White Ants, on account of the great 
analogy which exists between their habits and those of ants. 
They constitute, by their way of living, a striking anomaly in 
* These were separated from the Neuroptera and made a separate Order, under 
the name of Trichoptera, by Kirby.—Ep. 
DD 2 
