212 



THE WINGS OF NEUROPTERA 



narrow that it was impracticable to represent it in the figure without 

 exaggerating it. There are three anal veins. 



In the hind wings vein Mi +2 anastomoses with the radial sector a short 

 distance beyond the radial fork. Vein M3+4 is a direct continuation of the 

 stem of media and extends parallel with vein Mi +2 nearly to the tip of the 

 wing. The cubitus is greatly reduced in length ; the basal portion of vein 

 Cu2 is transverse, appearing like a cross-vein. Here, as in the fore wing, 

 veins Cu2 and ist A are so closely parallel that it is impracticable to repre- 

 sent them separate in the figure. 



A superficial examination of the wings of this insect would lead one to 

 believe that the two longitudinal veins parallel with the inner margin of the 

 wing are homologous in the two wings. This is true of the first of these 

 veins, this is vein Mi +2 in both wings; but the second vein is vein M3+4 + 

 Cui in the fore wings and vein M3+4 in the hind wings. This condition of 

 structures similar in appearance but differing in composition is quite 

 analagous to the condition in this part of the wing in the Myrmeleonidae. 



{v) THE WINGS OF THE CONIOPTERYGID^ 



The family Coniopterygidae includes a small number of very aberrant 



Ml-^A 



Fig. 211. — Wings of Semidalis aleurodiformis (After 

 Enderlein). 



members of the order Neuroptcra. They are the smallest members of the 

 order, and in all of them the venation of the wings is considerably reduced. 



