450 NEUROPTERA 



visible, though it may be detected at the sides of the tip of the 

 beak ; the sutures between the various parts of the head are 

 nearly or quite obliterated, but it is probable that the sides of 

 the beak are formed by the genae and by the stipites of the 

 maxillae, and its under-surface chiefly by the submentuin : the 

 mentuin itself is but small, the ligula is small, bifid at the ex- 

 tremity, and each branch bears- a two -jointed palpus, the 

 basal article being of very peculiar structure in Panorpa. The 

 mandibles are but small, and are placed at the apex of the beak ; 

 they have each the form of an oblong plate armed with two 

 very sharp teeth, and they cross freely. The maxillae are the 

 only parts of the mouth-pieces that are very elongated ; each 

 cardo is articulated at the base of the head, and the stipes extends 

 all the length of the side of the beak ; each maxilla bears a five- 

 jointed palpus and two small but very densely ciliated lobes. 

 The antennae are long, very slender, and flexible, and are many- 

 jointed ; they are inserted between the eyes in large foramina ; 

 there are three ocelli, or none, and the compound eyes are 

 moderately large. The prothorax is small, its notum is quite 

 small or moderate in size, and the prothoracic stigma is placed 

 behind it ; the side-pieces are small, and there is no chitinous pro- 

 sternum except a small longitudinal strip placed in the mem- 

 brane between the coxae ; these latter are of only moderate size, 

 and are free and dependent. The meso- and meta-thorax are 

 large, their side-pieces are of considerable dimensions and bear 

 large, dependent coxae and supporting-pieces (Fig. 58) ; there is a 

 stigma placed between the meso- and meta-thorax at the hind 

 margin of the upper part of the meso-trochantin ; both meso- and 

 meta-notum are transversely divided. The abdomen is elongate, 

 slender, conico-cylindrical, consisting of nine segments ; the basal 

 segment is membranous and concealed ; the terminal appendages 

 are of variable nature according to the species and sex. The legs 

 are elongate and slender, the tarsi five-jointed. The internal 

 anatomy of Panorpa communis has been examined by Dufour 1 

 and Loew. 2 They agree in describing the alimentary canal as 

 being of peculiar structure : there is a short, slender oesophagus 

 leading to an organ in which there is seated a remarkable 

 arrangement of elongate hairs ; this structure might be looked 

 on as the proventriculus, but Loew considers it to be rather a 



1 Mem. Ac. Sci. Strung, vii. 1841, p. 582. - Linnaea entom. iii. 1848, p. 363. 



