52 MANDIBULATA. NEUROPTEHA. 



The presence of ample incumbent reticulated wings, and distinct 

 ocelli, sufficiently characterizes the only indigenous genus of this 

 family ; to which may be added the forcipated tail of the male, 

 elongate-attenuated abdomen of the females, exclusively of other 

 less evident external differences. The transformations are un- 

 known. 



Sp. 1. communis. A'Igra, alia hyalinis, venis fascia apiceque fiiscis, casta obscure 

 testacea; thorace macuUs pedibusque testaeeis. (Exp. Alar. 1 unc. 1 — 5 lin.) 



Pa. communis. Linnc. — Leach, Zool. Misc. v. u. pi. 9i>.f. 1. — Steph. Catal. 305. 

 No. 3365. 



Black ; thorax with a row of livid or testaceous spots on the back, arranged 

 longitudinally ; rostrum reddish ; wings hyaline, with the nervures, an 

 irregular fascia towards the apex, with the tip itself, and a few scattered 

 spots, dark fuscous ; the costa dull testaceous ; three or four terminal joints 

 of the abdomen reddish ; legs dull testaceous. 



Slightly variable in size, and a little so in the disposition of the spots on the 

 wings ; but in all the varieties, the fascia on the wings (behind the middle) 

 is very evident. 



Extremely abundant, during the summer, in hedges by the sides 

 of woods, meadows, &c. throughout the metropolitan district ; also 

 common in other parts of the country. 



Sp. 2. affinis. Nigra, aUs liyaJinis, venis maculis apiceque fuscis, casta obscure 

 testacea, thorace maculis pedibusque testaeeis. (Exp. Alar. 11 — 15 lin.) 



Tan. affinis. Leach, Zool. Misc. v. ii. pi. 94./. 2.— Steph. Catal. 305. No. 3366. 



Black ; rostrum and apex of the abdomen reddish ; thorax with some yellowish 

 or testaceous dorsal spots, placed longitudinally ; wings hyaline, with the 

 nervures, and numerous scattered spots and the extreme apex fuscous; legs 

 testaceous. 



The generally smaller size of this species, in addition to the difference in the 

 maculation of the wings, sufficiently points out its distinction from the 

 foregoing. 



Also a very common insect, within the metropolitan district, 

 occurring rather earlier in the season, but continuing throughout the 

 summer : likewise found in other parts of the country. 



Sp. 3. apicalis. Nigra, alls hyalinis, immaculatis, apicefusco solo excepto, venis 

 fuscescentibus, pedibus piceis. (Exp. Alar. 9 — 10 lin.) 



Pa. apicalis. Steph. Catal. 305. No. 3367. 



Black; rostrum and apex of the abdomen reddish; thorax immaculate; wings 



