482 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



tera, and soft in the orthoptera. Those of the 

 following orders are also provided with jaws, 

 but their wings are four in number, of a mem- 

 branaceous texture, and unprotected by a sheath. 

 These wings are nearly of equal length, coria- 

 ceous and reticulated in the neuroptera ; softer, 

 and the two lower ones shorter, in the hyme- 

 n op tera. 



The family of the dragon flies (libellulce) is 

 very numerous ; species of them are to be found 

 in every country ; they are remarkable for their 

 elegant light form, for the variety of their co- 

 lours, and above all for the rapidity of their flight. 

 They seize in the air upon their prey, which 

 consists of flies and other insects. Those which 

 constitute the genus agrion have a filiform abdo- 

 men ; we shall notice among them the varieties 

 of the l.virgo (n os 91 to 98), and those of the 

 i. paella (n os 100 to 106, 1 17 to 119)- The termes 

 is frequently mentioned by travellers under the 

 denomination of white ant. The population of 

 our European ant-hills is nothing in comparison 

 with the dwellings of the exotic white ants. 

 The habitations of several species are raised above 

 the surface of the ground in the form of a py- 

 ramid or small tower, and placed near one an- 

 other like houses in a village. They make the 

 more havock from their working together in 



