18 NEUROPTERA. 



existence. He adds, that perhaps few per- 

 sons not particularly conversant in the history 

 of insects would imagine that these brilliant 

 and lively animals, which may be seen flying 

 with such strength and rapidity round the mea- 

 dows, and pursuing the smaller insects with the 

 velocity of a hawk, had once been inhabitants 

 of the water, and that they had resided for a 

 long space of time in that element before they 

 assumed their flying form. 



The eggs, which the female drops into the 

 water, sink to the bottom, and are hatched 

 into very ugly larvae, of a brown colour, with 

 six feet. When advanced to the chrysalis state, 

 the wings begin to appear on the back, and 

 from their head projects a strong jointed arm, 

 with a most formidable pair of forceps or prongs 

 at the end. They are two years in passing 

 from the egg to the perfect insect; during 

 which time, from their voracity, their cruelty 

 towards their companions, and the destruction 

 they make amongst them, they have not un- 

 aptly been called the Crocodiles of aquatic in- 



