CHAPTER Y. 
Jointed Animals,— continued. 
Insects,— concluded . 
Orders Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Rhynchota, etc. 
Characters of The Neuroptera form the last order of insects which undergo a 
the Neuroptera. complete metamorphosis in the course of their development. In this 
order it was formerly usual to include certain groups of insects, such as the dragon¬ 
flies, May-flies, white ants, etc., none of which pass through a period of prolonged 
inactivity, or pupal-stage, before reaching the perfect condition. But although it 
is largely a matter of convenience whether these groups be placed, as they are in 
this work, in the order Orthoptera, or arranged in a series of separate orders, no 
one, taking into consideration the great difference in their mode of development, 
would now think of associating them in the same order with the true Neuroptera. 
The adult insects of the present order have their mouth-organs, when fully 
developed, adapted to biting and grinding, and never formed for piercing or suck¬ 
ing ; in which respect they differ from three of the other orders of the metabolous 
insects, namely, the Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera. From the Coleoptera 
they are easily distinguished by the structure of their fore-wings, which are never 
hard and horny like the wing-cases or elytra of the latter. Both pairs of wings 
are membranous, and usually traversed by numerous, more or less closely reticu¬ 
lating, veins; whence the name of Neuroptera given to the order. The hind-wings 
are often very similar to the fore-wings, but sometimes differ considerably in size 
and shape. In one section—the caddis-flies—they are capable of being folded like 
a fan, but in the other section (Planipennia) they always remain flat, and are 
spread horizontally or obliquely in repose. 
Caddis-Flies, —Suborder Trichoptera. 
The caddis-flies, forming the first of the two great divisions of the order, are in 
general appearance rather like some of the smaller kinds of moths; and since they 
differ a good deal from the typical Neuroptera, they are often treated as a distinct 
order. In their adult state they have two pairs of wings, in which the neuration 
is comparatively simple, with few transverse nervures. The wings are generally 
clothed with hairs, and the hind-wings usually shorter, broader, and less hairy than 
the front pair. When at rest, the hind-wings are folded fan-wise, with the fore¬ 
wings covering them over like a roof. The caddis-flies have a rather small head, 
which bears two long, tapering, and many-jointed antennae. They have round and 
