352 



NEUROPTERA 



it is not a matter for surprise that little should be known about 



them. 



The simple antennae are formed of numerous joints, probably 



varying in number from about fifteen to twenty-four. The mouth 



is mandibulate. Chatin states x that the pieces homologous with 

 those of a maxilla can be detected in the 

 mandible of Embia. The labium is divided. 

 The legs are inserted at the sides of the 

 body, the coxae are widely separated (Fig. 

 223), the hind pair being, however, more 

 approximate than the others. The abdo- 

 men is simple and cylindrical, consisting of 

 ten segments, the last of which bears a pair 

 of biarticulate cerci. In the male sex there 

 is a slight asymmetry of these cerci and 

 of the terminal segment. The thorax is 

 remarkable on account of the equal develop- 

 ment of the meso- and meta-thorax and 

 their elongation in comparison to the pro- 

 thorax. When they bear wings there is no 

 modification or combination of the segments 



FIG. 223. Under -surface f or the purposes of night, the condition of 



of Embia sp. Andalusia. , , , . 



these parts being, even then, that of wing- 

 less Insects ; so that the Embiidae that have wings may be 

 described as apterous- 

 like Insects provided 

 with two pairs of in- 

 efficient wings. The 

 wings are inserted on 

 a small space at the 

 front part of each of 

 the segments to which 

 they are attached. 

 The legs have three- 

 jointed tarsi, and are 

 destitute of a terminal 

 appendage between 

 the claws. 



The wings in Embiidae are very peculiar ; they are extremely 

 1 Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) ix. p. 33. 



FIG. 224. Anterior wing of Oligotoma saundersii : A, the 

 wing ; B, outline of the wing, showing nervures. 

 (After Wood -Mason.) 1, Costal; 2, subcostal; 3, 

 radial ; 4, discoidal ; 5, anal nervure. 



