52 FOSSIL TXSKC'TS OF TIT K Bh'ITIRH C'OAF MKASFRKS. 



The radial sector presents several difficulties. In neither of the two published 

 figures is this vein depicted as we might expect. In all other respects the wing 

 agrees remarkably closely with those of ///v//, //'' and Megaptiloides, where the 

 radial sector sends off inwards a series of simple branches, and runs out fairly 

 parallel with the radius to the wing-apex. In [dace, however, of the radius 

 passing straight outwards, it is represented as dividing into two branches in the 

 distal fourth of the wing, the outer branch forking once and the inner forking 

 twice. The inner branch of the radial sector diverges widelv from the outer, and 

 its three divisions go to the inner side of the wing-apex. A small branch is shown 

 by Woodward as joining the radial sector to the first branch of the median, while 

 the same branch is shown bv Ilandbrsch as coming off from the radius immediately 

 in front of its division into two, and passing down towards the inner margin 

 between the inner branch of the radial sector and the first branch of the median. 

 but not uniting to the latter. The median vein arises near the radius and sweeps 

 out in a bold curve to the middle of the inner margin, giving off three outer 

 undivided branches. Dr. "Woodward, in his restoration of the base of the wing, 

 has inadvertently indicated the main stem of the cubitus as joining the median. 

 This is corrected in Handlirsch's drawing. The cubitus consists of a strongly 

 curved stem giving off two branches, but only the inner marginal portions of the 

 veins are present. The anal veins are three or four in number, and directed 

 backwards at right angles to the length of the wing. 



o O o o 



The interstitial neuration consists of feeble transverse nerviires. which either 

 pass irregularly across between the main veins or occasionally fork. 



Affinities. Dr. Woodward doubtfully refers the wing to Lithomantis carbo- 

 nari-its, Woodw. Ilandhrsch, in the earlier part of his \\ork. ' Die Fossileii 

 Insekten ' (p. 1 -(.'>), classed it as a " Palaeodictyopteron " only, and afterwards, 

 owing to its supposed relationship to ],. carbonariits, and its evident likeness to 

 Litlnixni/ix and ll<nlrt>ii<-/i r<i. established the genus Sluhlixiii for it, placing the specie> 

 in the Lithomantidse. There are, however, certain features of the wing which 

 militate against his view. The close apposition of the cost a, subcosta and radius 

 are in marked contrast to the condition in that familv. where these veins are 

 widely spaced, and where there is also a verv wide intercostal area. The radial 

 sector is also more complex. In those details in which the wing departs from the 

 Lithomantid;e, it approaches the characters of the genera /</v//'''''" and .l/<';/<>/<//- 

 loides. The resemblances to Mef/aptiloides /</<//>'/, IJrong.. and Breyeria borinensis, 

 Horre, are very close, so far as can be determined bv the distal fragment of the 

 lormer wing and the more than three-fourths of the latter wing. The mam 

 difference between (his wing and ihose of In-ri/i'i-in l/ariiifiixix and /'. lachlani is in 

 the character of the siilicosta, which in the latter two species joins the radius. 

 Whether the publislied figures of the Staffordshire wing are correctly drawn in 

 tins particular \\e do not know, and as we have alreadv seen that these ligures are 



