SECTION 1V., 1895. [ 278 ] * . Trans. R.S£$.C. 
XIV.—Organic Remains of the Little River Group, No. I V. 
\ 
By G. F. MATTHEW, DSc. 
(Read May 16th, 1895.) 
THYSANURA. 
It is somewhat remarkable that among the many fossil insects that 
have been described, the Thysanura have few or no representatives. 
Since there is a considerable number of species extant in the modern 
world, one might reasonably expect that the study of the extinct faunas 
would give to science at least a few species of this order! In fact, in a 
type so primitive as to have the three somites of the thorax separate 
from each other, we would naturally look for a larger proportionate 
representation among the insects of the ancient world. It is clear, how- 
ever, that such a larger proportion has not yet been found. These con- 
siderations add special interest to a discovery in the plant beds at St. 
John, of the remains of an insect that appears to belong to this order. 
PODURITES, n. gen. 
> 
PODURITES SALTATOR, n. sp., PI. IL., Fig. 10. 
Body cylindro-fusiform. Head oblately oval, slightly extended be- 
hind, and showing traces of antennæ and eyes. 
Thorax one-fifth longer than wide, of three separate segments, which 
are about twice as wide as long; the anterior angles of the first segment 
are rounded in toward the head and the posterior angles of the third 
segment has lobes projecting backward on each side of the abdomen. 
The abdomen is fusiform, rapidly tapering in the posterior third, 
composed of about seven rings, and terminated by a spring (elater), the 
root of which appears to have been attached to the penultimate segment, 
and was fluted on the sides. 
Size—Length of the body, exclusive of the appendages, 20 mm. ; 
width 3mm. Length of the head 2 mm., of the thorax 4 mm., and of 
the abdomen 8 mm. 
Horizon and Locality.—Plant Bed No. 2, Lower Cordaite Shales, 
Little River Group, St. John, N.B. Rare. 



1 A very peculiar acephalous insect found at Florissant has been referred to this 
order by Dr. Scudder, and an imperfect Lepisma was found at the same locality. 
Sec. IV., 1895. 18. 
