248 
LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
the male, but I am not certain to which species it 
belonged, as it differed from both the females ; the 
wings were purple like those of a Scolia, 
Many kinds of lace-winged flies [Neuroptera) 
have occurred to me, beside the numerous Dragon- 
flies ; such as a clear- winged Pearl- fly (CJirysopa)^ 
with a white body curiously spotted with black; 
and particularly some of the very elegant Ant-lion 
flies [Myrmeleon ) ; one of which has the wings 
perfectly transparent, others are variously spotted. 
These insects fly slowly and feebly, strongly con- 
trasting with the vigorous action of the Dragon- 
flies, to which they bear some resemblance. Their 
wings, indeed, are ample, but their bodies are small 
and slender ; and powerful flight does not depend 
