. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. NEUEOPTERA. 141. Fig. 96.—larva of kphkmerox, and section of its cell. ceived their name from the shortness of their existence in theii" perfect state, which is, indeed, so brief that the same evening sun which sees their birth generally witnesses their destruc- tion. Their life, how- ever, in the earlier stages of their growth is of much longer duration. In their larva state they live in the water, lurking under stones, or residing in little holes that they excavate in the banks of the stream. When about to undergo their
. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. NEUEOPTERA. 141. Fig. 96.—larva of kphkmerox, and section of its cell. ceived their name from the shortness of their existence in theii" perfect state, which is, indeed, so brief that the same evening sun which sees their birth generally witnesses their destruc- tion. Their life, how- ever, in the earlier stages of their growth is of much longer duration. In their larva state they live in the water, lurking under stones, or residing in little holes that they excavate in the banks of the stream. When about to undergo their last transformation, they leave the water and cast off their pupa covering, but by a remarkable exception to other insects, they are still covered by a thin pellicle, which gives them a dull appearance. In this condition they are known to the angler as "duns;" in a short time, however, they cast off this temporary deshahille, leaving it upon trees or walls, or even the clothes of the passer-by, and present them- selves in the fidl livery of the perfect insect, in which garb they constitute the " Drake " of the fly-fisher. The Scorpion Flies (Pa7iorpd), are remarkable from the extraordinary structm-e of the tail, which in the male is terminated by a pair of forceps, giving them the appear- ance of wdnged scorj^ions. The Ant Lions (Myrmeleo)* much resemble the dragon flies, but their habits in the earlier stages of their exist- ence are very different. The larva lives principally upon ants, which it catches by a singular contrivance. Not being able, from the structiu'e of its body, to catch such active prey by any ordinary proceeding, it constructs a trap, by walking backwards, round and round and round, until a deep conical excavation is formed in the loose sand, at the bottom of which the creature buiies itself, and there remains quietly concealed, with the exception of its long scissor-like fangs, which are kept half open and ready for action. Thus enscon
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectzoology
