ro NATURAL HISTORY. 
FOURTH ORDER. 
INSECTA. NEUROPTERA: 
iNEUROPTEROUS infeéts have four traniparent, 
membraneous and. uncafed wings, which are veined 
like net work, Their, tail.is unarmed, or ftinglefs : 
But itis frequently furnifhed with appendices, like 
pincers, by which the males are diftinguifhed,| 
~ ahh 
LIBELLULA+4=DAMSEL, 
rr : 
i HIS genus of infects: is well known to every 
body. ‘The largeft {peciés is produced from a water 
worm, that has fix feet, which yet young, .and very 
fmall, is transformed into a chryfallis, that has its 
dwelling in the water. People have thought they 
difcovered them to have gills like fifhes. It wearsa 
mafk, as perfect'y formed as thofe that are worn ata 
mafquerade ; and this mafk: faflened to the infect’s 
neck, and which it moves at will, ferves it to fold its 
prey, while it devours it. The period of transformea-_ 
tion being come, the chryfailis makes to the water 
fide, undertakes a voyage, in fearch of -a convenient 
place; fixes ona plant, or fticks fafttoa bit of dry 
wood. Its fkin, grown parched, iplits at the upper 
part of the thorax. The winged infeéi iffies, teh 
gradually. throws off its flough, expands its wings, 
flutters, and then flies off with graceiulnefs and eafe, 
‘The elegance ofits fiender fhaye, the richneis of its 
