E. H. Sellards — Types of Permian Insects. 153 



from the Kansas Coal Measures. The line does not appear in 

 the illustrations of Oryctoblattina, Glaphyrophlebia, Rhipidiop- 

 tera, and Oryctomylabris, although the venation is otherwise 

 closely similar. The cross line marks the location of a more 

 or less distinct break in the continuity of the veins. The 

 apical part of the wing beyond the line is closely filled with 

 veins. 



Among modern insects a similar interruption in the vena- 

 tion by a cross line is best developed and most often observed 

 in Hemiptera, and has led, perhaps not without reason, to the 

 comparison of some members of this family with Hemiptera. 

 In pointing out recently the existence of a similar line in the 

 wing of Cicadidse, Woodworth writes* : " The most curious 

 feature of this venation is a mark extending across the wing, 

 which can be seen only in certain lights upon the membrane; but 

 wherever this line crosses a vein, it is very evident, because 

 the vein is here entirely interrupted ; " and p. 123, "In this 

 connection a similar structure in the fossil Fulgorina is, as 

 already pointed out, of interest. " 



If this peculiarity in the wing venation occurred among 

 Hemiptera only (Homoptera and Heteroptera) the argument 

 for the Hemipterons affinity of the Oryctoblattinidse would be 

 very strong indeed. Handlirsch states, however, that a similar 

 break occurs in some Mantidse and in many other insects (p. 

 158, Die Fossilen Insekten, 1906.) 



The body structure is unfortunately still very imperfectly 

 known. Brongniart states that certain specimens representing 

 this family from the French Coal Measures have parts of the 

 body preserved. JNp illustrations of these specimens are given 

 and the description is brief. The body is said to be short ; 

 the head rather large ; the eyes large, round, and salient. The 

 antennae are described as in some specimens long, in others 

 short. Regarding the mouth parts, it is stated that two little 

 pieces are observed in front of one of the impressions which may 

 be mandibles. f The hind wings of the family are unknown. 



Until more definite information regarding the body struc- 

 ture and the hind wings of the Oryctoblattinidse is obtained a 

 satisfactory placing of the family seems hardly possible. 



Pursa ovata gen. et sp. n. Text figure 4. 



This is a genus of small Oryctoblattinidse. The wings are 

 arched, the apices bluntly rounded. The radial sector arises 

 as a thin vein near the termination of the basal third of the 

 wing. The media is broken up at the base. Its attachment 



*The Wing Veins of Insects ; by C. W. Woodworth, Univ. of California, 

 Technical Bulletin No. 1, Agri. Experiment Station, p. 122, 1906. 

 f Insectes fossiles, p, 446, 1893. 



