NEUROPTERA.
The Neuroptera—the type of which order are the Libellulæ, or Dragon Flies—have four membranous wings, generally rather broad, provided with transverse delicately reticulated nervures, which gives them the appearance of lace. Although one of the least extensive, this Order presents the greatest modifications of form and of habits.
One section of Neuroptera contains some insects which undergo incomplete metamorphoses. The Libellulæ, the Ephemeræ, and the Termites, belong to this category. The insects belonging to the other section, in which are classed the Phryganidæ, [109] or Caddis Flies, the Panorpatæ, and the Myrmelionides, or Ant Lions, undergo complete metamorphoses. The pupæ of the first walk and live absolutely in the same way as the larvæ; only, at the moment of the last transformation, the skin of the pupa splits, and the perfect insect comes forth. In the case of the second, on the contrary, the pupa is motionless, inactive, and takes no food, as in the Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, &c. In spite of this diversity in their mode of development, all these insects resemble each other too much for us to divide the Order; from which it follows that we must not attach too much importance to differences of transformation by which the insect arrives at its perfect state.
The most interesting insects among the Neuroptera are the Termites, improperly called White Ants, on account of the great analogy which exists between their habits and those of ants. They constitute, by their way of living, a striking anomaly in the order in which their conformation places them. In fact, they live in very numerous societies, and build very solid and very extensive dwelling-places—quite Cyclopean or Titanic works in comparison to the tiny dimensions and weak and feeble appearance of the insect. ([Plate IX.])
