398 



PALAEOZOIC SYSTEM OF ROCKS. 



land vegetation of the Coal. Many of the principal orders are here 

 represented, viz., Dragon-flies (Neuropters), Figs. 563 and 566; grass- 

 hoppers and cockroaches (Orthopters), Fig. 562 ; spiders and scorpions 

 (Arachnids), Figs. 561 a and 561 b ; and centipeds (Myriapods), Figs. 

 565 and 565 a. It is noteworthy, however, that the three highest or- 

 ders, viz., the butterflies (Lepidopters), the social insects, such as bees, 

 ants, etc. (Hymenopters), and the flies (Dipters), are still wanting. 

 These are not only the highest but also the flower-loving, honey-suck- 

 ing orders. True flowering plants (Angiosperms) did not yet exist. 

 Beauty and fragrance and sweetness were not yet characteristic of the 

 reproduction of plants. 



Eecently immense numbers of Carboniferous insects have been 

 found at Commentry and described by Brogniart. Among these are the 

 largest insects known. One — a phasma (Fig. 566) — was about a foot 

 long and twenty-six or twenty-eight inches across the extended wings. 

 As already said (p. 334), all the Palaeozoic hexapod insects belong to 

 one order — the Palmo-dictyoptera of Scudder — a generalized type, con- 

 necting the three lower orders — Neuropters, Orthopters, and Hemipters 

 — of existing insects ; some approaching one and some another of these 

 now widely separated orders. 



Vertebrates (Fishes). — The great Ganoids and Placoids continue in 

 undiminished or even increased numbers, size, and variety. They are 



Fig. 567. 



Fig. 568. 



Fig. 569. 



Fig. 570. 



Figs. 567-570.— Carboniferous Fishes— Placoids : 567. Edestes minor (after Newberry). 568. 

 Pleuracanthus— a Ray (after Nicholson). 569. Gyracanthus (after Nicholson). 570. Ctenacan- 

 thus (after Nicholson). 



