398 



I 



NEUROPTERA 



CHAP. 



anterior to that of the amber; but this is not the case, all that 

 is known as to fossil Psocidae being that Scudder has recently 

 ascribed traces of an Insect found in the Tertiary rocks of Utah 

 to this family as a distinct genus. 



Fam. V. Perlidae. 



Insects of moderate or large size, furnished tvith four membranous 

 wings ; these are usually complexly reticulate ; the hind pair 

 are much the larger, and have a large anal area of more 

 simple venation, ivhich becomes plicate when folded. The 

 coxae are small, the legs ividely separated. The larvae are 

 aquatic in hahits ; the metamorphosis is slight. 



(After Gerstaecker.) 



The Perlidae form a small family of Insects unattractive in their 

 general appearance. The life-history of each individual consists 

 of two abruptly contrasted portions ; the earlier stage being 

 entirely aquatic, the later aerial. Hence the Perlidae come into 

 the amphibious division of Neuroptera. The definition we have 

 given above would, except as regards the texture of the front 

 wings and the aquatic habits of the larvae, apply to many 

 Insects of the Order Orthoptera. The Phryganeidae, another 



