NERVE-WINGED OR LACE-WINGED INSECTS 301 
out of the cocoon which it made, when a larva, by spinning grains of sand together with silken 
threads. 
In some South European and African insects allied to the ant-lions the hind wings are 
modified into extremely long and slender shafts, slightly expanded at the extremities. In 
an Indian species belonging to a 
related genus these wings are scarcely 
more than threads, and bear a super- 
ficial resemblance to the attenuated 
limbs of certain gnats. One group, 
of which a Japanese species is a 
w-eil-known representative, is char- 
acterised by the long, slender, and 
clubbed antennae. 
The Mantis-flie.S are remark- 
able for the structure of the fore 
limbs, which are almost exactly 
similar in character to those of the 
praying-mantis. The upper segment 
of the leg is so lengthened as to look 
like an additional joint ; the lower 
surface of the thigh is armed with a 
number of long, sharp spines; and 
^ r rioiQ vy . ouvme- rLtmi ^ r.z..o. 
the tibia, or lower part of the leg, TERMITES’ NEST 
folds closely down upon it, after the showing one year's reconstruction to nest, of which the photographtr made a section 
manner of the blade of a clasp-knife. 
These limbs are used for seizing, an insect wdiich is once grasped being effectually prevented 
by the spines from breaking away. 
The larvae of these insects are parasitic in the nests of tree-wasps and spiders, and hav^e 
the peculiarity of practically losing their limbs as they approach maturity; so that w'hile at 
first they are free and active, they afterwards become almost as helpless as those of many 
beetles. One species is found in Southern Europe, the remainder being widely distributed 
over the hotter regions of the globe. 
Allied to the Mantis-flies are the curious Snake- 
FLIES, or Camel-flies. In these insects the head is 
very large, and is attached to the thorax, or central 
division of the body, by a long and distinct neck, 
which allows it great freedom of motion. The neck 
is usually raised and the head bent down, giving to 
the insect a remarkably snake-like appearance. 
These flies are predaceous in their habits, and the 
four British species may be found on the banks of 
ponds and small streams, wdiere they can obtain 
insect-victims in plenty. The larvae live beneath the 
bark of trees, and wriggle about in a singularly 
serpentine fashion. 
Equally curious in a different way are the 
Scorpion-flies, in wdiich the body is prolonged into 
a slender three-jointed process, the extremity of wdiich, in the male, is furnished with 
a pair of curved forceps. In spite of their somewhat formidable appearance these insects 
are perfectly harmless. They are very plentiful almost everywdiere, and may be found in 
numbers on any sunny summer morning resting on the herbage on hedge-banks, or running 
actively about on the leaves of low bushes. Like the Snake-flies, they are predaceous, feeding 
20 
' Photo by tv. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
SCORPION-FLY 
Remarkable for the curious structure of the end of the body 
