They are also very destructive to collections of preserved insects and plants. About thirty species occur in this country.
Family 6, Embiidæ.—This family contains no representative in the British Isles, and consists of a small number of almost exclusively exotic species. Two species, however, inhabit the continent of Europe, one of which, Embia Solieri, occurs in the south of France on the Mediterranean littoral.
These insects are very closely allied to the Psocidæ in their habits.
Tribe V.—Socialia.
The Socialia contains a very peculiar group of insects closely allied to the cockroaches in the Orthoptera. They may be considered a connecting link between that order and the Neuroptera. There is only one family.
Family 7, Termitiæ.—The Termitiæ, or White Ants, are almost exclusively inhabitants of tropical climates, and are unrepresented in our own country.
They are a very remarkable family of insects. They build most complicated dwellings, consisting of innumerable galleries and chambers, and they are so interesting in their habits that every traveller who has seen anything of them has always a great deal to relate concerning them.
One species, Termes lucifugus, inhabits the south of France, and is very well known on account of the mischief which it sometimes causes.
