52 
NEUROPTERA. 
This order derives its name from two Greek words, 
one meaning “ a nerve,” the other “ a wing,” and is 
applied to these insects whose wings are divided by a 
great quantity of nervures into a greater number of 
spaces ( areoloo) than is seen in any other of the orders. 
The beautiful Dragon-flies, the May-flies or yellow and 
grey drakes of the Fly-fisher, the delicate Lace-winged- 
flies, the brown and white speckled Scorpion-fly, the 
sluggish Stone-fly, often in the season to be seen resting 
on stones, palings, or bridges near running streams, the 
Alder-fly, with wings of modest brown and strongly 
veined, covering the body with roof-like position ; these 
are some of the common examples of this order of 
insects, which may be seen in their seasons in the 
Spring, Summer, and Autumn. 
The metamorphosis in the Neuroptera is more com¬ 
plete than in the Ortkoptera , the larvae and pupae 
generally exhibiting less resemblance to the perfect 
insect than in that order, but the metamorphosis is va¬ 
riable in the groups composing the Neuroptera . In their 
habits and economy also there is great dissimilarity, but 
by far the greater part are carnivorous. In their larval 
condition their abodes are various, some larvae reside in 
the water, others in damp mud and sand, some conceal 
themselves under a cloak of excrement, others live ex¬ 
posed on plants. Various proposals have been made 
for the classification of the Neuroptera. We will pass 
over these and consider the different families com¬ 
posing this order that are represented in our own 
country. Let us begin with the Libellulidcc or Dragon¬ 
fly tribe. Who has not many a time stopped in his 
walk to watch the bold and rapid flight of some of the * 
