Vicinity of Mason Creek, Illinois. 



371 



Larva of {Blattoidea) melanderi Handlirsch ? Fig. 54. 



A larva, 17 mm long, belonging to the group designated by- 

 some autbors as Dipeltis and probably referable to the Myla- 

 cridse. The comparatively short middle and posterior legs 

 with their approximate coxae are easily to be distinguished. 

 The lateral lobes of the segments are very clearly preserved. 



Plesiotype in Peabody Museum, Yale University, Cat. No. 63. 



Fig. 54. 



Fig. 54. (Blattoidea) melanderi ? x2 - 6. 



Order SYPHAROPTEROIDEA, new order. 



This new order is based on a comparatively small insect 

 which I am not able to place in any one of the other orders 

 and which evidently represents an extinct offshoot of the Palae- 

 odictyoptera. From it none of the more highly specialized 

 groups of insects can be derived. 



Meso- and metathorax very similar, apparently not yet grown 

 together. Abdomen slender, diminishing backward, its first 

 segment being the largest, the eighth with an appendix, prob- 

 ably an ovipositor. The two homonomous pairs of wings are 

 of a quite equal shape and lie obliquely backward, not cover- 

 ing the abdomen; the second pair being somewhat shorter but, 

 like the first pair, nearly trigonal and apparently not provided 

 with an anal fan. The costa marginal, the subcosta and radius 

 strongly advanced toward the anterior margin. Subcosta 

 reaching but half the length of the wings, uniting with the 

 costa and sending forth some short oblique veinlets. Radius 

 parallel to the subcosta and costa, reaching the tip of the wing 

 and sending forth some short oblique veinlets toward the costa. 

 The radial sector rises very near the base and diverges 

 strongly from the radius, the interstice being bridged over by 



