58 FOSSIL INSECTS OF THE BRITISH COAL MEASURES. 



latter Order ('Die Fossilen Insekten,' p. 312), where lie states that the special 

 distinctive characters of the Megasecopteridae are the tendency to a reduction of the 

 anal area of the wing, and the partial fusion of the median and cubitns with 

 the base of the radius. Brocfia certainly agrees with the Megasecopteridae in the 

 reduction of cross-nervures, but the anal area is very long, and I have not seen 

 a single case among the twelve or thirteen specimens in the British Museum 

 where there is any clear sign of fusion between the median, cubitus, and 

 the base of the radius. The bases of the three veins are closely brought together 

 in the inner spatulate portion of the wing, but this seems a natural result of the 

 narrowing of the wing in this region. 



The family Brodiidae is more fully represented by individuals in the British 

 Coal Measures than any other, thirteen specimens being known of" Brodia 

 priscotincta, Scd., alone. To this family also seem to belong a series of small 

 larval wings. The neuration in these is immature, and the wings themselves are 

 far too small and weak to have supported the body in flight. The abdomen seems 

 long and well segmented, the segments showing evidence of well-developed 

 pleura, and they may also have borne tubercles. The whole integumentary 

 structure is thin, and if at all chitinous, only feebly so, and but faintly outlined 

 on the surface of the nodules. The wing-shape is much like that of Brodia, and 

 the veins, so far as determinable, such as may reasonably be supposed to have 

 developed into the typical Brodia-type in the adult. 



While general evidence and association point to these wings being those of 

 larval forms of Brodia, and possibly of B. priscotincta, Scd., it is more judicious 

 to retain them in a distinct group. The same difficulties occur with other larval 

 wings which cannot be allocated to known genera, and for which new generic 

 names are not advisable. I therefore class larval wings of unknown relationship 

 as a separate group under the name of " Pteronepionites" a name which has no 

 classificatory value, but merely serves to indicate their larval nature. When 

 evidence is forthcoming of the generic and specific relationship of any member 

 of the group, it can be removed without the necessity of reducing a generic term 

 which has passed into nomenclature to the rank of a synonym. 



I would allot the term " Pteronepionites " to all larval insect- wings of all 

 geological periods. 



Genus BRODIA, Scudder. 

 1881. Brodia, Scudder, Geol. Mag. [2], vol. viii, p. 293. 



Generic Characters. Wings spatulate in shape, three times as long as wide. 

 Outer margin feebly convex. Costa and radius spinulose, radius undivided, radial 

 sector and median vein with few divisions. Cubitus a single vein. Anal veins 

 few and widely spaced. 



