434 MKSOZOIC INSECTS OF QUEENSLAND, iii., 



conditions, viz., that in the forewing of Mp(janevra, tliat in the 

 hind wing of the same genus, and that in tlie hind wing of Aero- 

 plana, can be easily obtained by reduction from the type of 

 venation shown in Text-fig. 16, a, as may be seen from b, c, and d 

 of the same Text-figure. 



Tlie rest of the media in Jleyanenra differs widely from that 

 of Aerophvtia, as is only to be expected when one considers the 

 difference in the shape of the wings. 



The cubitus in J/ef/cmeuirt (and probably in other Protodonata 

 so far known) is simple. But it is a sinuously curved vein, 

 resembling the Cuo of Aet'oplana in its general course basally. 

 Both genera have only a single main anal vein. But in Mfga- 

 neura, as in other Protodonata, both Cu and A give off numerous 

 descending branches, which are absent from A'eroplana. 



AVe can only conclude that there is a certain amount of 

 evidence of affinity betw^een J/egauf^ura and An'opJaim, though 

 that evidence is by no means strong. The numerous points of 

 difference are so evident that it will scarcely be necessary to 

 enumerate them. There are, then, only two courses open to us: 

 either we must place Aeroplana in the Order Protodonata, as a 

 very highly specialised member, far removed from any known 

 type of that Order; or we must make a new Order for it. In 

 choosing the forme'r alternative, while at the same time empha- 

 sising the unique character of the new fossil by placing it in a 

 new Suborder, Aeroplanoptera, I have taken a course which will 

 serve to indicate the degree of affinity of the fossil to the rest of 

 the known Protodonata, while leaving it open to any other ento- 

 mologist, if he considers this affinity insufficiently established, to 

 raise the new Suborder to the status of an Order. 



In conclusion, it seems to me quite possible that this extra- 

 ordinary fossil may have held much the same position in the 

 Order Protodonata, with respect to the Megmipuridfp, that the 

 advanced Agrionidfa hold to-day, within the (^rder Odonata, 

 with respect to such gigantic, archaic types as Fetalnra. If 

 that be so, its existence in the Upper Triassic — at a time when, 

 it is U) be presumed, the rest of the Order had died out — need 



