140 FOSSIL INSECTS OF THE BRITISH COAL MEASURES. 



apparently united to the radius at the base, and dividing about the middle of the 

 wing into two widely divergent branches, between which are developed a numerous 

 series of accessory veins. Cubitus (in the type species) consisting of a single 

 undivided vein on the outer side, and of an inner branch which is much subdivided. 

 Anal vein reaching middle of inner margin, and giving off many strongly recurved 

 branches. Inner margin broadly convex. Interstitial neuration consisting of 

 numerous series of straight cross-nervures. Wings membranous. 



This family was formed for a small group of insects of enormous size, discovered 

 at Commentry and described by Brongniart. 



Genus MEGANEURA, Brongniart. 

 1885. Meganeura, Brongniart, Bull. Soc. Amis Sci. Nat. Rouen [3], ann. xxi, p. 60. 



Generic Characters. Gigantic insects with long narrow fore-wings and broader 

 hind-wings. Precostal area extending to the middle of the outer margin. Costa 

 almost straight, powerful, and joined far out by the subcosta. Radius a single 

 strong vein, followed by a radial sector arising from the radius in the fore-wing, 

 and in the hind-wing from the outer branch of the median. Median united with 

 the radius at the base, having a simple outer branch and a much divided inner 

 branch. Many of the branches of the latter accessory. Cubitus with outer and 

 inner branches dividing at the base of the wing, and curved in an S-shape. The 

 inner branch well divided, the outer feebly so. Anal veins numerous, strongly 

 curved to the inner margin. 



Genus BOLTONITES, Handlirsch. 

 1919. Bolto'nites, Handlirsch, Revision der Paliiozoischen Insekten, p. 61. 



Generic Characters. Pre-costal field very small ; cubitus and anal veins much 

 as in Gilsottia titana, Meunier. " The bridge clearly preserved." By this I 

 understand that Handlirsch alludes to the transverse vein which I described as an 

 "oblique inward branch of the cubitus joining on to the anal." Cubitus and anal 

 with few branches. 



Boltonites radstockensis (Bolton). Plate X, fig. 1 ; Text-figure 44. 



1914. Meganeura radstockensis, Bolton, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. Ixx, p. 119, pis. xviii, xix. 

 1919. Boltonites radstockcnsis, Handlirsch, Revision der Paluozoischen Insekten, p. 61. 



Specific Characters. Outer wing-margin thickened, coriaceous and tubercular. 

 Outer and inner wing-margins spinulose. Cubital-anal vein present. Areolae 



