302 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ July, 16 
Micropterygid group (Tricholepidoptera) is extremely primi- 
tive, and might possibly be regarded as a separate order, but 
it is preferable to give it the rank of a suborder. This group 
is closely related to the Neuroptera and also to the Trichop- 
tera. The Tineid group (true Microlepidoptera) is closely 
related to the Micropterygid group, the two together constitut- 
ing the more primitive lines of descent of the Lepidopterous 
insects. Of the higher groups, the Pyralid group (Meso- 
lepidoptera) is somewhat intermediate between the lower 
forms and the Hesperiid group whose line of descent closely 
parallels that of the Papilionid group (Eulepidoptera). 
The ancestors of the Diptera arose from forms occupying a 
position intermediate between the Meropid group and the 
Nemopterid group, which is closely related to the Neuroptera, 
so that the Dipteron line of descent, if traced further back, 
ultimately approaches that of the Neuropterous forms. The 
line of descent of the Diptera also approaches that of the 
Homopterous insects, but the relationship is not a very close 
one. Of the lower Dipterous forms, the Psychodid group 
and the Tipulid group (Prodiptera) have retained cer- 
tain characters suggestive of the Neuroptera, Trichop- 
tera and Meropid group. The Leptid group (Mesodip- 
tera) is related to both the Tipulid group and the Muscid 
group (Eudiptera). The Hippoboscid group (Metadiptera) 
has become markedly different from the remainder of the | 
Diptera, while the Nycteribiid group (Apodiptera) has be- 
come so greatly modified, that it might be considered as a dis- 
tinct order. The Braulid group (Paradiptera) has departed 
sufficiently far from the main Dipteron stem to be considered 
as a distinct order, since these insects have lost the halteres in 
addition to the wings, eyes, ocelli, etc., and the tarsi and other 
parts have become profoundly modified, so that they would 
searcely be recognized as Dipteroid forms, did we not know 
their mode of reproduction, etc. The Phorid group (Siphono- 
diptera) serves to connect the Diptera with the Siphonap- 
tera (Pulicid group), although it has not departed mark- 
edly enough from the Dipteron stem to be considered as a 
separate order. 
