58 Prof. Schaum on the Systematic Position of the Strepsiptera. 



Strepsiptera, and free and strongly developed in the Coleoptera. 

 If, then, the Phryganidse and Strepsiptera, although they possess 

 a short prothorax, are referred to the Neuroptera, among the 

 ordinal characters of which a free prothorax is one (p. 68), this 

 proves, on the one hand, that the above-cited diagnosis does not 

 apply to the numerically larger part of the Neuroptera (the 

 Phryganidse), and, on the other, that the development of the 

 prothorax does not furnish a character for the order Neuroptera. 



Even in the order Hymenoptera the development of the pro- 

 thorax has not the decided signification which is ordinarily 

 ascribed to it : in most cases indeed it, or at least its notum, is 

 much reduced ; but in the family Pompilidse (for example, in 

 Salius) it is well developed. That in the orders of Hemimeta- 

 bolous Insects (Orthoptera, Hemiptera) the prothorax is some- 

 times free, sometimes more or less reduced in corr^espondence 

 with the structure of the anterior wings, has already been fully 

 elucidated by Erichson (Germar^s ' Zeitschrift,^ i. p. 156). The 

 shortness of the prothorax, therefore, proves nothing in favour 

 of the position of the Strepsiptera among the Neuroptera (which, 

 for the most part, possess a free prothorax), and can only be used 

 as an argument against their being placed with the Coleoptera 

 if we refuse to admit that the prothorax may be reduced in this 

 order exceptionally, and indeed in the strictest connexion with 

 the reduction of the anterior wings, just as among the Hyme- 

 noptera it is exceptionally strongly developed in Salius. In 

 this case we have to regard the Strepsiptera as forming a small 

 independent order, agreeing with the Coleoptera in the perfect 

 metamorphosis, in the possession of (rudimentary) biting oral 

 organs, and in the structure of the wings; and with certain 

 Coleoptera in a very peculiar process of development, but differ- 

 ing in the rudimentaiy condition of the prothorax*. But in 

 other cases we arrange certain forms in an order, although one 

 or other of the characters of this order do not attain full deve- 

 lopment in them ; for example, we unite the genus Braula with 

 the Diptera with reference to certain conditions of organization, 

 and to its development, which takes place as in the section 

 Pupipara of the order Diptera, although it does not possess the 

 essential characters of that order, namely the halteres and the 

 typical structure of the mouth ; and if we do so, we may also 

 with perfect justice refer the Strepsiptera to the Coleoptera. 



That the mode of life of the Strepsiptera agrees with that of 

 the Meloidse, so far as the nourishment of the larva is concerned, 

 has never been asserted. It has, however, been affirmed, and 

 correctly, that in this and other respects it agrees with that of 



* With regard to the asserted distinction in that the anterior wings are 

 moved when the animals fly, see Lacordaire's 'Gen. Col.' v. ii. p. 693. 



