133 



XXIX. 0?i the Rhipiptera of Latreilk, on Order 

 of Insects named hy Kirhy Strcpsiptera. 



A"e;?05, the genus serving as the type of this singular Order 

 of Insects, was discovered by Rossi, who referred it with- 

 out hesitation to the Hymenoptera, and placed it next to 

 Ichneumon. Another genus of the same order was found 

 by Kirby, and was described in his celebrated Monogra- 

 phia Apum AiigUie under the name of Stylops, with ex- 

 pressions of doubt as to its systematic situation. Latreille 

 soon after received from De Brebisson a species of Sty- 

 lops, and at the end of his Genera Insectorum et CruS" 

 taceorum observes that it seems to disturb our entomolo- 

 gical systems, not being referable to any of the established 

 orders. Professor Peck detected a new species of this 

 group in America, and communicated it to Kirby, who 

 considered it to constitute with his Stylops a peculiar order 

 gf insects, on which he gave to the Linnaean Society of 

 London, in 18 II*, a dissertation. 



I adopted the characters that were laid down by this 

 learned entomologist, as well as the name Strepsipfcra, by 

 which it was designated. Since then, Latreille has con- 

 vinced me that the supposed elytra are but moveable pro- 

 cesses attached to the anterior part of the thorax ; whereas 

 true elytra arise from the second segment of the trunk, and 

 always more or less cover the wings, which these parts do 

 not touch. Anxious to become acquainted with all the 

 characters of the order, I commenced an examination of 



* Vol. xi. 



