RAPHIDIA, in zoology; a genus of insects, of the neuroptera order; the characters of which are these: The head is of a horny substance, and depressed or flattened: the mouth is armed with two teeth, and furnished with four palpi: the stigmata are three in number: the wings are dejected; the antennae are filiform, as long as the thorax; the anterior part of which is lengthened out, and of a cylindrical form: the tail of the female is terminated by an appendix, resembling a flexible crooked bristle.—There are three species. The most remarkable is the ophiopis; which for its shape is one of the most singular that can be seen †. It has an oblong head, shaped like a heart,
with its point joined to the thorax, and the broad part before. It is smooth, black, flattened, continually shaking, with short antennae, yellowish maxillæ, and four palpi. Towards the middle of the upper part of the head, between the eyes, are the three stigmata, placed in a triangle. The thorax, to which this head is fastened, is narrow, long, and cylindrical. The abdomen, broader, is black like the rest of the body, with the segments margined yellow. The feet are of a yellowish cast. The wings, which are fastigated, are white, diaphanous, veined, and as it were covered with a very fine net-work of black. This insect, in the figure of its head, resembles a snake. It is found but seldom, and in woods only. Its larva, chrysalis, and habitation, are absolutely unknown.