INSECTS. 
247 
order. The wing-covers likewise differ in another 
particular from the coleopterous insects ; not meet- 
ing as they do in a direct line, but crossing each 
other when closed. Cock-roaches, locusts, grass- 
hoppers, &c., belong to this order. 
The order lepidoptera forms the third, and is named 
from the scaly winged insects which compose it. 
It includes the butterflies and moths, whose wings 
are covered with a powder which comes off upon 
the fingers, and, when examined by the microscope, 
affords a very pleasing and interesting spectacle, each 
particle of powder being as it were transformed 
into a regular fan-shaped scale terminated by four 
or five minute points. 
Neuroptera, or nerve-winged insects, compose the 
fourth order, and are finely exemplified in the 
dragon-fly, which is so common by the sides of our 
rivers. The wings are four in number, and are 
reticulated, or appear like net work : they are 
beautifully transparent, and of the texture of fine 
gauze. 
The fifth order is called hymenoptera, from the 
wings being membranaceous. The bee and wasp 
tribe, so well known for their stinging propen- 
sities, are arranged in this order. The insects 
we have hitherto mentioned are all provided with 
four wings ; but we now proceed to the order of 
Diptera, in which the insects have only two. 
But in the place of a second pair, they are furnished 
with poisers or balancers, which we have already 
