SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 331 



dividual you maty exclaim This is a Neuropterous insect. 

 The only one that I have been enabled to seize is, that 

 their scapulae and parapleurce are parallel and placed 

 obliquely a . Whether, with all this puzzling variation 

 and dissonance between the different tribes of which it 

 is now composed, this Order can be considered as a na- 

 tural group, in the present state of our knowledge it 

 would be rash to decide. I shall observe, however, that 

 the Libellulina, whether we regard their metamorpho- 

 sis and the singular character before described that di- 

 stinguishes their larva and pupa b , their oral instru- 

 ments c , the remarkable position of their legs d , their 

 general form, the wonderful and peculiar machinery by 

 which their wings are moved e , and other circumstances 

 of their internal anatomy, if any are to be regarded as 

 forming a separate Order, are the first entitled to that 

 distinction. At present, with our friend Mr. MacLeay, 

 I shall consider it as not further divisible, and as consist- 

 ing of five principal forms. I must not omit to observe, 

 that in the Ephemerina the parts of the mouth, except 

 the labrum and palpi, appear to be mere rudiments f . 

 DEF. Metamorphosis varying. Larva a hexapod. 



Wings four in most, and reticulated with nu- 

 merous areolets. 



Prothorax distinct. 



Scapula and Parapleurte parallel and oblique. 



Tail of the female without a terebrant, or pun- 

 gent multivalve ovipositor . 



a VOL. III. p. 563. b Ibid. p. 125. 



e Ibid. p. 423, 441, 451, 454, Ibid. p. 656. 

 e See above, p. 186. f N. Diet, (f Hist. Nat. x. 344. 



E The ovipositor of Rapliidia seems merely calculated to introduce 

 its eggs under bark ; it seems incapable of boring. 



