. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. <^ .w 1r ^ ' \ J^ B â 'A TERMITES' NEST Shozuing one \sar\ n'LOnstrucUon to nest^ of zvhhh the pliotogrjp/ur made a sectk related genus these wings are scarcely i â I more than threads, and bear a super- ficial resemblance to the attenuated limbs of certain gnats. One group, of which a Japanese species is a well-known representative, is char- acterised b\' the long, slender, and clubbed antennx. The ]\Iantis-flies are remark- able for the structure of the fore limbs, which are almos
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. <^ .w 1r ^ ' \ J^ B â 'A TERMITES' NEST Shozuing one \sar\ n'LOnstrucUon to nest^ of zvhhh the pliotogrjp/ur made a sectk related genus these wings are scarcely i â I more than threads, and bear a super- ficial resemblance to the attenuated limbs of certain gnats. One group, of which a Japanese species is a well-known representative, is char- acterised b\' the long, slender, and clubbed antennx. The ]\Iantis-flies are remark- able for the structure of the fore limbs, which are almost exactly similar in character to those of the praying-mantis. The upper segment of the leg is so lengthened as to look like an additional joint; the lower surface of the thigh is armed with a number of long, sharp spines ; and the tibia, or lower part of the leg, folds closely down upon it, after the manner of the blade of a clasp-knife. These limbs are used for seizing, an insect which is once grasped being eft'ectuall)' prevented by the spines from breaking awa}-. The larva: of these insects are parasitic in the nests of tree-wasps and spiders, and have the peculiarity of practically losing their limbs as they approach maturit_\'; so that while at first they are free and active, they afterwards become almost as helpless as those of many beetles. One species is found in Southern Europe, the remainder being widely distributed over the hotter regions of the globe. Allied to the Mantis-flies are the curious Snake- FLIES, or Caiiel-FLIES. In these insects the head is very large, and is attached to the thorax, or central division of the body, by a long and distinct neck, which allows it great freedom of motion. The neck is usually raised and the head bent down, giving to the insect a remarkably snake-like appearance. These flies are predaceous in their habits, and the four British species may be found on the bank's of ponds and small streams, where they can obtain insect-victims
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
