NET-WINGED INSECTS. 



191 



meadows, or skim the surface of the pools or ponds in 

 search of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, upon 



Fig- 333- — Dragon Fly. 



which they feed. In the larva and pupa states they 

 live in the water, and are rather long, broad, and flat, 

 with long, sprawling legs, and they crawl about, or 

 propel themselves by ejecting water from a cavity 

 situated at the hind part of their body. They are very 

 voracious, devouring other insects and even one an- 

 other. When the time comes for the last change, they 

 crawl up the stems of plants, and, having withdrawn 

 from the pupa skin which remains clinging to the 

 plant, and dried themselves, they spread their wings 

 and dart swiftly away. Though they bite fiercely with 

 their jaws, they have no sting, and are harmless to man. 



Net-winged Insects, or Neuroptera. 

 Corydalus. 



The Horned Corydalus expands five or six inches, 

 and the male has two long, horn-like pincers. 



