244 NEWMAN ON THE 



The opposite characters to those possessed in the highest 

 degree by Diptera, and in the second degree by Lepidoptera 

 and Hymenoptera, may be given thus : — 



Prothorax fully, often prodigiously, developed : mesothorax reduced to 

 a narrow ring : fore wings weak, often reduced to mere rudimental 

 appendages, generally incapable of employment as implements of 

 flight : hind wings extremely voluminous, and usually the only 

 organs of flight. 



The Orthoptera possess these characters in the maximum 

 degree: we find in Coleoptera and Hemiptera decidedly 

 the same characters, though occasionally in some degree modi- 

 fied. Some of the Neuroptera, more particularly the Perlina, 

 have a fully developed prothorax. The structure of this last 

 named group, their quadrate prothorax, their caudal setae, 

 their ample hind wings, point out a near relation to various 

 genera in Orthoptera. It will, therefore, be impossible to 

 exclude them from that portion of the central circle in the 

 diagram which approaches Orthoptera. The whole of the 

 winged insects, with the intentional exception of some of 

 the more typical forms of Neuroptera, are thus disposed 

 of; and, I trust the candid reader will admit, not only 

 without the slightest violation of the principles of the Alary 

 System, but in a manner to support that ancient and excellent 

 system, and proclaim more forcibly than ever its paramount 

 importance. 



Let it not be supposed for a single moment, that I wish, in 

 thus insisting on general laws, to beg the question founded on 

 exceptions. When I speak of Orthoptera, I would be under- 

 stood to mean the mass of Orthoptera, the Locustites, Achetites, 

 Gryllites, Blattites, Forficulites, Sfc. The Spectres are an ex- 

 ception. The singular structure of these animals might be made 

 matter of much speculation. By general character, although 

 imperfect, we may define masses ; but how often it happens that 

 some individuals contained in those classes will defy our utmost 

 precision ! 



The prothorax and metathorax follow so exactly the same 

 laws, and are so completely interwoven with the differences of 

 the mesothorax, that it would be nothing more than useless 

 repetition to pursue the subject farther. The line already em- 



