THE SCORPION FLIES 



(Order Mecoptera.) 



The curious insects of this order are ordinarily called scor- 

 pion flies, although this term applies strictly only to those of the 

 genus Panorpa which have the genital organs of the male adult 

 curiously enlarged and modified so as to resemble the tail of a 

 scorpion. Mecopterous insects have four wings with many 

 veins. The most striking peculiarity is the great prolongation of 

 the head into a stout beak-like organ at the end of which are 

 biting mouth-parts. The metamorphoses are complete. Only 

 one family is contained in this order. 



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