LAM) ANIMALS OF THE COAL PERIOD. 



387 



iferous date. The wing lias been examined by Mr S. II. Scudder, of 

 Boston, who has made such specimens bis Bpecial study, and who rel 

 it to the group of Ephemerina (day-flies, Bhad-flies) among the Ncur- 

 optera, and has named it Haplophlebium Bamesii. It mu.-t have been 

 a very large insect — seven inches in expanse of wing — and therefore 

 much exceeding any living species of its group. When we consider 

 that the larvje of such creatures inhabit the water, and delight in 

 muddy bottoms rich in vegetable matter, we can easily understand 

 that the swamps and creeks of carboniferous Acadia, with lis probably 

 mild and equable climate, must have been especially favourable to 

 such creatures, and we can imagine the larva 1 of these gigantic ephe- 

 meras swarming in the deep black mud of the ponds in these swamps, 

 and furnishing a great part of the food of the fishes inhabiting them, 

 while the perfect insects emerging from the waters to enjoy their brief 

 span of aerial life, would flit in millions over the quiet waters and 

 through the dense thickets of the coal swamps. 



Fig. 152. — Haplophlebium llunusii, Scudder. 



_M> 



(a) Profile of base of wing. 



Mr Scudder describes the species as follows: — 



' This is probably one of the Ephemerina, though it differs very much 

 from any with which I am acquainted. The neuration is exceedingly 

 simple, and the intercostal spaces appear to be completely filled with 

 minute reticulations without any cross-veins. The narrowness of the 

 wing is very peculiar for an Ephemeron. The form of the wing ami 

 its reticulation remind me of the Odunata, but the mode of venation is 

 very different ; yet there is apparently a cross-vein between the first 

 and sec, .ml veins in the photograph (not rendered in the cut) which, 



