cclxxiii 
Hexopoda. INSECTS. Abaohnida. 
Sub-order — DIP'l'ERA. 
Tlie Coinnion House fly belongs to tliis order of 
two-winged Insects, wliich has tlie mouth formed as a 
sucker, constructed of from two to six lancet-sliaped 
elongated scales, enveloping a canal upon the upper 
surface of a fleshy proboscis. 'I'lie larvaj generally 
have a membraneous head ; the stigmata or breath- 
ing-pores are always placed in the second and termi- 
nal segments of the body. In some species, such as 
the Blow-fly, the eggs are hatched within the parent; 
in others, like the Forest-fly, the Itirvae are meta- 
morphosed within the body of the parent, and the 
young are excluded as pupae, 'i’here are about two 
thousand five hundred species of Flies in North 
America, already desci'ibed, and probably double that 
number are likely to be found. 'I'heir habits have 
not been studied in this country, though many pre- 
sent very interesting phases. 
Family CULICID/F {Mosquitoes). — The larvae of 
this family are active, and have swimming organs, re- 
maining mostly at the bottom, feeding on the decayed 
vegetation. 'I'liey destroy immense quantities of mat- 
ter, which would otherwise prove a serious source of 
disease. 'I’he genus Culex abounds in quite northern 
latitudes, as well as in more warm I'egions. 
Family OFOIDOMYlDiF includes the Gall-flies, 
minute and slender species, with hairy bodies, the 
female of which punctures and lays her eggs in the 
limbs of trees and plants, causing a growth of gall- 
like excrescences. 'I’he notorious Hessian Fly and 
the Wheat-midge belong to this family. Tipulidm 
(Daddy-long-legs) ; Piilicidm (Fleas) ; Tabanidm 
(Horse flies) ; CEstridos (Bot-flies) ; Muscidm (House- 
flies); IdippoioscidcB (Forest-flies) ; Nycteribidos (Bat- 
ticks), and several other families of less familiar forms, 
are ranked here in order. 
Sub-order — COLEOFTERA. 
'I’hese sheath-winged Insects are commonly known 
as Beetles. It is estimated that there are more than 
eighty thousand species, of which over eight thou- 
sand are known to inhabit the United States. About 
one thousand fossil species have been recorded, being 
found as low down as the coal formation, though 
more common in the Tertiary. 
Sub order-HEMI P'I'ER A. 
'I'his sub-order— signifying half-winged — includes 
the true Bugs, Plant-lice, Bed-bugs, Body-lice, etc. 
“'The mouth parts are formed into a slender horny 
beak, consisting of a horny sheath enclosing three 
sharp bristle-like organs, the whole beiiig fitted for a 
sucking apparatus.” — Packard. About twelve thou- 
sand species, living and fossil, are enumerated. 
Sub-order— ORTHO P'I’ER A. 
'I'hese Insects are straight-winged and do not un- 
dergo a complete transformation, but pass by insen- 
sible gradations from the larval to the adult stage, 
VoL. I.— 
all the while remaining active. 'I’he Walking-sticks 
and Walking-leaves {Phasmidm), the Locusts and 
Crickets {Qryllidm) ai-e all notable members of the 
order, the Grasshopper being the type. About five 
thousand species are known, the larger number being 
found in tropical countries. Fossil species are found 
in the Upper Devonian, some in carboniferous rocks, 
and large numbers in the 'I’ertiary. 'J’hey are found 
abundantly in amber. 
Sub-order — NEUROP'I’ERA. 
'I’his order of nerve-winged Insects embraces most 
distinctively-formed species, distinguished by long 
bodies and slender wings of delicate net-work. 'I’hey 
have very large eyes and strong mandibles. Having 
no sting, they depend wholly upon their jaws for 
weapons. In the larval state they are mostly aquatic, 
and do not undergo a complete metamorphosis. 'I’he 
larvae of White Ants, or 'I’ermites, which feed upon 
wood, and prove very destructive to the furniture, 
and, it is said, also, to the houses of the residents 
of warm climates ; the Ant lions, whose larvae feed 
upon Ants and other insects; and the little Bristle- 
tails, seen running over old books, belong here. 
Order H.— ARACHNIDA. 
Members of this order have the body divided into 
two well-marked regions, the head and the hind-body, 
the thorax being merged closely in the head. 'I’liey 
have simple eyes, four pairs of legs attached to the 
thorax ; they are without antennae, compound eyes 
and wings. 'I’hey do not change in coming to matu- 
rity, but moult their skin six times during their 
growth. In the group Pedipalpi are found the odd 
creatures called Daddy-long-legs or Harvest-men, the 
Scorpions and False Scorpions. Acarina embraces 
the colony of Mites, 'Picks, Water-mites and the vari- 
ous forms Acaridm. 'i’he Spiders proper are in- 
cluded in the group Araneina, of which Territilarim 
is a sub-order indicating “under-ground weavers,” or 
'I’rap-door Spiders. 
Small S])iders which construct trap door domiciles are 
not uncommon in North America, but the discovery 
by Prof. Holmes, of Charleston, S. 0., of a gigantic 
species on his plantation in that State caused some 
surprise. 'I’he specimen, which includes the young 
with the nest, is in the American Museum, Central 
Park, New York. The body of the Spider is larger 
than an ordinary Mouse ; the legs are short and 
stout, and covered like the body with coarse hairs. 
'I’he nest is so constructed that it was easily sepa- 
rated and lifted out of the earth, remaining intact 
like an adobe structure ; the tube is about seven 
inches long and nearly two inches in diameter. Un- 
like other Spiders, this creature does not weave a 
web, but depends upon the gates and bars of his cas- 
tle, which he defends with astonishing power. 'I’he 
ground is not only excavated for his purpose, but it 
is opened as a stone-mason works : instead of plas- 
