EMBIIDAEi 35 5 



of great value from an anatomical point of view, they rather add 

 to, than diminish, the difdculties we encounter in endeavouring 

 to understand the lives of these obscure creatures. That 

 Embiidae form webs has long been known, and it was thought 

 by some that the webs, like those of spiders, might be of assist- 

 ance in procuring food. We may, however, infer from Grassi's 

 observations that this is not the case, but that the silken tunnels 

 or galleries as he calls tliem serve chiefly as a means of 

 locomotion and protection, the feet of the Insects being highly 

 modified in conformity with this mode of life. Grassi seems 

 to be of opinion that the galleries are also useful in preserving 

 a proper degree of humidity round the Insects. We have 

 already alluded to the mystery that surrounds the mode of 

 growth of their wings. Nearly all that is know^n as to the 

 Embiidae is contained in Grassi's paper, or is referred to in 

 Hagen's monograph of the family.^ 



Considerable difference of opinion has prevailed as to the 

 aUies of thesa obscure Insects. It would seem that they 

 are most nearly allied to Termitidae and Psocidae. Grassi, 

 however, considers these aftinities only remote, and suggests that 

 Embiidae should form a separate Order, to be placed in a super- 

 Order Orthoptera, which would include our Aptera, the two 

 families mentioned above, Mallophaga, Embiidae, and the ordi- 

 nary Orthoptera. Brauer places the family in his Orthoptera 

 genuina. 



^ Cancalian Entomologist, xvii. 1885, throughout. 



