CLASSIFICATION. 17 



Nomoneunt. This sub-division includes the Blattseformia of Handlirsch, and 

 is distinguished by tlie wings having no precostal area, as contrasted with a second 

 division, Heteroneui'a, in which a precostal area is present, and in which the legs 

 are adapted for running and jumping. The Xomoneura include forms classified 

 bv Handlirsch under the Protorthoptera and Protoblattoidea. Lameere separates 

 his Nomoneura into (a) Blattoidea, and (b) Mantoidea, the former characterised by 

 a sub-costal which joins the outer or costal margin, a more or less lengthened 

 radius, and a small cubitus. The Mantoidea have the sub-costa joining the radius, 

 and a large preponderating cubitus. 



Heteronritra. This sub-division includes the Phasnmidea and the Locustoidea, 

 the former containing the faniilv (n) Sthenaropodidse, in which the legs are long 

 and stout, the head prognathous, the prothorax long and narrow in front and very 

 wide behind, and presenting two dorsal expansions. 



The wing- venation of the Sthenaropodida? is such that they may have 

 been the ancestors of the Phasmida?. Lameere, however, does not regard the 

 Sthenaropodidaa as ancestors of the Phasmida?, but as arising with them from a 

 common ancestor. 



The members of the families (Kdischiida? and Caloueuridre possess legs fitted 

 for jumping, but differ considerably in their wing- venation. The (Edischiidse are 

 possibly linked with the Locustidsv, and the Caloneuridse with the Acridida?. 



Circumstantial and detailed as Prof. Lameere's classification is, the arguments 

 and deductions are not easily Followed, the paper being only in abstract. A study 

 of the fossil insect-material from Coinmentry alone is not in itself likely to yield 

 all the facts and premisses upon which a classification can be built applicable to the 

 Palaeozoic insect-fauna of all coalfields and countries. .Much more evidence is 

 wanted, and until the full paper is published, it is necessary to hold the classification 

 in suspense. 



The most recent publication on the Palaeozoic insects is an extensive and 

 valuable memoir by Dr. P. Pruvost (HH'O, "La Faune Continental.' du Terrain 

 Houiller du Xoril de la France," 'Memoires pour servir a 1'Explication de la Carte 

 Geologique detaillee de la France,' Paris, H)20) on the fossil insects recently found 

 by him, and others, in the neighbourhood of Lens and Lievin in the north of 

 France. Dr. Pruvost adopts the classification of Handlirsch with few emendations 

 as follows, and by his new material he has added considerably to our knowledge of 

 the Protoblattoidea and Blattoidea : 



Order. PAL^ODICTYOPTERA. 



Family. Stenodictyopteridse, Brong. (Dictvoneuridse, Handlirsch ). 



Family. Spilaiiteridiv, Brong., emend. Haudlirseli. 

 Order. PROTORTHOPTERA, Handlirsch. 



Families. <Edischiida\ Caloueuridse. 

 Order. HAPALOPTEROIDEA. Handlirsch. 



Family. Hapalopteridae, 



3 



