HEMIMETABOLIC INSECTS. 



595 



of large size, transparent, and essentially similar in form and neura- 

 tion. The Permian genus Fulgorina is allied to the preceding ; 

 whereas in the Phthanocoris of the Coal-measures, the front wings 

 differ in character from the hind wings, and assume the features of 

 " hemelytra." 



Lastly, Mr Scudder forms a section of " Coleopteroid " Palce- 

 odictyoptera for the reception of Palaeozoic insects, which may be 

 regarded as precursors of the modern Beetles (Coleoptera), and 



Fig. 446. — Eugereon Bockingi, from the Lower Permian rocks of Germany. (After Dohr 

 copied from Zittel ) 



which resemble the latter in having the anterior pair of wings 

 hardened by chitine so as to form cases (" elytra ") for the pro- 

 tection of the membranous hind-wings. The existence of insects of 

 this type in the Carboniferous period is shown by the presence in 

 fossil wood from the Coal-measures of borings similar to those 

 produced by existing Beetles. The elytra of Coleopteroid in- 

 sects have also been recently discovered in the Carboniferous 

 rocks of Silesia, but the characters of these have not yet been fully 

 determined. 



Order II. Rhynxhota (Hemiptera). — Mouth suctorial, beak- 

 shaped, consisting of a jointed rostrum, composed of the elongated 

 labium a?id labial palpi, ivhich together form a jointed, tubular sheath 



