298 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | July, 16 
with the Panorpid group, which is also rather distantly related 
to the Chrysopid group. These insects (e. g., Mantispa) re- 
semble Mantids in some respects, but the relationship between 
the two is not very close—although the Mantids are distantly 
related to them, as may be seen by comparing a specimen of 
Mantoida luteola with the members of this group. 
The Nemopteroides (Eunemoptera) or Nemopterid group 
occupies a position intermediate between the Neuroptera 
(Chrysopid group) and the Panorpid group. Such forms as 
Nemoptera are extremely Panorpid-like in the structure of the 
head, etc., but have retained other Neuropteron characters, 
thus making them annectent between the Neuroptera and Me- 
coptera, or Panorpids. 
All of the groups described above (i. e., the Raphidian, 
Sialid, Chrysopid, Myrmeleonid and Mantispid groups) might 
be considered as suborders of the ““Neuroptera” (used in the 
broad sense), but they are for the most part as different from 
ecch other as they are from the Panorpids, and if the Panor- 
pids are to be regarded as a distinct order (the Mecoptera of 
authors), then these different groups of Neuropteroid insects 
should also be regarded as distinct orders. 
The Panorpoides (Mecoptera) or Panorpid group is com- 
posed of two distinct subdivisions represented by such forms 
as Merope, Panorpa, and Bittacus. The Meropoides (Prome- 
coptera), or Meropid group, differs so much from the others 
(1. e,, the mouthparts are not drawn out into a beak; the ter- 
minal abdominal appendages, wing venation, etc., differ mark- 
edly from the other Panorpids) that it might possibly be con- 
sidered as a distinct order, although I would regard it as a 
sub-order, until more is known of the other representatives - 
of the Mecoptera. The Bittacus group is quite distinct from 
the Panorpa group, but the differences are apparently those 
between groups of a family rank, rather than between 
suborders. Merope tuber is one of the most interesting 
members of the Panorpid group, and exhibits certain char- 
acters (terminal abdominal appendages of the male, etc.) sug- 
gestive of the ancestral condition of the Diptera and other 
