CHAPTER XL 



Or DRAGON-FLIES AND OTHER, INSECTS BELONGING 

 TO THE ORDER NETJROPTERA. 



fgjEUROPTERA is the general term 

 n applied to the interesting tribe of 

 ti « Dragon-flies," and other families of 

 insects, in consequence of the beautiful 

 ■" system of delicate nervures by Avhich 

 their large transparent wings are 

 strengthened and supported. These 

 neurations, as exhibited in the wings of the 

 Dragon-fly class, form a most intricate net- 

 work, or rather lace-work, which at once appears a 

 sufficiently remarkable distinction to form the basis 

 of a natural order which might receive the name 

 " Neuroptera" a term formed of the Greek 

 words, neuron (vevpov), a nerve, and p t era (-rrTepa), 

 wings. There are, however, a few insects in- 

 cluded in the order in which this peculiarity is so 

 concealed by a clothing of small coloured scales, 

 like those of the wings of Moths, that some have 



