NEUROPTERA. 
579 
the eyes large, the prothorax very long, and the wings roof-like. Exotic species, [recently monographed by Erich- 
son, of great interest from their apparent relationship with the order Orthoptera]. 
Raphidia, Linn., has 4-jointed |arsi, the wings roof-like, the head elongated and narrowed behind, prothorax 
long, narrow, and subcylindric, and the abdomen of the females terminated by a long, exserted ovipositor, formed 
of two valves. R. ophiopsis, [the Snake-necked Fly, of rare occurrence in this country. See the monograph of 
Schummel]. The larva lives in the fissures of the bark of trees, and has the form of a small snake : it is very 
active. 
Termes, Linn. {Hemerobius, Linn, [the winged males]), has also 4-jointed tarsi, but the wings are carried hori- 
zontally on the body, and very long ; the head rounded, and the prothorax short and square. The body is de- 
pressed, with the antennae short ; the mouth very similar to that of the Orthoptera, with a four-cleft lower lip ; 
three ocelli, one rather indistinct ; the wings generally but slightly 
transparent, coloured, with the nervures not forming a close net- 
work, and the legs short. 
The Termites peculiar to the tropical and adjacent countries, are 
known under the name of White Ants, and commit most extraor- 
dinary ravages, especially in the larva state, in which they are called 
Workers, and are like the perfect insect, but with the body softer and 
without wings, and the head generally larger, and destitute of eyes, or 
nearly so. They are united into colonies of incalculable numbei s, 
and live concealed in the interior of the earth, trees, and other 
wooden matters, such as furniture, shelves, &c., in which they form 
Fig:, no.— White Ants : 1, Worker; 2, Soldier. galleries, forming routes conducting to the centre of their nests, so 
that these objects, of which the outer surface is [with surprising instinct] left untouched, fall to pieces on the 
slightest touch. The nests of some species are external, but without any evident exit. Sometimes they are elevated 
Fi^-. 111.— 5, Nest of Termes fatale (ten or twelve feet high).— 6, Nest 
of Termes atrox. 
Fig. 112.-7, Section of the nest of Termes fatale, on a scale of one 
inch to eight feet. 
j to a great height above the surface, like pyramids, and are sometimes surrounded by a solid roof, which, from the 
height and number of these insects, appear at a distance like a small village. Sometimes they affix their nests to 
ij the branches of trees. Another sort of individual, termed Neuters or Soldiers, and which Fabricius mistook for 
li pupae, defend the nest. They have the head much larger and longer, and the mandibles are very long and cross 
over each other. They are far less numerous than the larvae, and liv e near the outer surface of the nest, so that 
|1 they make their appearance first when it is attacked ; they are also stated to compel the Workers to labour. The 
demi-nymphs have the rudiments of wings, and in other respects resemble the larvae. 
|| When arrived at the perfect state, the Termites quit 
III their habitation, fly abroad during the evening or 
night in great numbers ; they lose their wings before 
morning, which dry, and falling to the earth, they 
become the prey of birds, lizards, &c. The couples are 
then collected by the larvae, which inclose each of them 
in a large cell ; but Latreille conjectures that the act of 
coupling takes place in the air, as in the Ants, and that 
the females alone occupy the attention of the larvae in 
order to the establishment of fresh colonies. The ab- 
domen of the female subsequently acquires an enor- 
mous size, from the innumerable eggs which it contains. 
The royal chamber occupies the centre of the habita- 
tion, and around it are distributed those which con- 
tain the eggs and provisions. 
Some larvae of Termes viarum have eyes, and appear 
to have habits somewhat dilferent to the rest, and to approach our Ants. 
Negroes and Hottentots are very fond of these insects. 
with eggs. 
I 
