ZOOLOGY. 



ORDER IV. 



NEUROPTERA. 



This order is distinguished by possessing four transparent 

 reticulated wings, and the fail 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, Dragon-Fly. Antenna; short ; mouth fur- 



nished with several jaws ; wings expanded ; tail termi- 

 nated in the male insect by a forked process. 



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

 or in the vicinity of stagnant waters ; their larvse is six 

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

 lated forcipateJ mouth; the pw/^a resembles the larvce, but 

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

 and when mature on any winged insect they can overcome, 

 generally taking their prey on wing. 



2. Ephemera. Day-Fly. Mouth without teeth or feelers ; 



stemmata two, very large, situated above the eyes ; 

 wings 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- 

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



